The recent defeat suffered against England at Lords has dealt a major blow to Pakistans standing in the ICC World Test Championship points table, pushing the side down to the very bottom position. Following consecutive losses on the tour of England, the teams position in the championship cycle has deteriorated significantly, reflecting a struggle in the longer format of the game.
Standings Overview for Pakistan and Australia
Looking at the current statistics, Pakistan has featured in 8 matches so far, enduring 6 defeats that leave the side with a meager 16 points. Their win percentage stands at just 16.67. In sharp contrast, the Australian team continues to dominate the top spot of the standings. Australia has triumphed in 8 out of their 10 Test matches, accumulating 96 points alongside a strong win percentage of 80.
Position of India and Other Contenders
Behind Australia in the table are the teams of South Africa, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. Team India currently occupies the fifth position in the standings. India previously had an opportunity during the series against Sri Lanka to secure a 2-0 sweep and push Bangladesh down, but that prospect faded when the Colombo Test ended in a draw. India currently holds 68 points and a 51.52 win percentage from 11 matches, comprising 5 victories, 4 losses, and 2 draws.
The Lords Defeat by 194 Runs
The second Test between England and Pakistan took place at the iconic venue of Lords. At the toss, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won and elected to bowl first. Batting in their initial essay, the host team England posted a total of 290 runs. In response, the Pakistani batting lineup collapsed entirely, getting bundled out for just 110 runs, which handed England a massive first-innings lead of 180 runs.
Match Conclusion and Upcoming Fixture
During their second innings, England managed to put up 208 runs, setting a daunting target of 389 runs for Pakistan. Chasing this target under the leadership of Babar Azam, the visiting side was bowled out for 194 runs on the fourth day of the match. Consequently, England secured a comprehensive victory by 194 runs in the second Test. This triumph gives them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with the third and final fixture scheduled to begin on September 9 in Birmingham.
