England strengthen sixth spot in WTC standings after 3-0 Pakistan sweep

England strengthened their position in the World Test Championship standings after completing a 3-0 series sweep of Pakistan at Edgbaston. Their PCT rose to 38.54 per cent, while Pakistan slipped further to 14.81 per cent

Birmingham: England moved further away from Sri Lanka and a little closer to India in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table after beating Pakistan in the third Test at Edgbaston here, completing a 3-0 series sweep.

Joe Root and Jordan Cox led the way with half-centuries as the Three Lions chased down 130 to win by eight wickets and register their first home whitewash of Pakistan.

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Even though they are unlikely to play in next year’s WTC final at The Oval, they have consolidated their sixth spot in the nine-team standings, making further ground on Sri Lanka and moving closer to two-time finalists India.

Coming into the third Test, England had 62 points from 15 matches, with a PCT of 34.44 after being deducted 14 points for slow-over-rate offences. The Edgbaston win saw their points tally rise to 74 from 16 games, while their PCT increased to 38.54 per cent, still significantly behind India’s 51.52 per cent.

Meanwhile, Pakistan have lost further ground in the WTC standings. They were already at the bottom of the table ahead of the Birmingham loss, and their PCT has now fallen from 16.67 per cent to 14.81 per cent as they have just two wins and were also docked eight points for slow-over-rate offences.

Australia continue to hold the top spot in the WTC standings. They have 96 points and a PCT of 80 per cent after their 1-1 draw against Bangladesh.

South Africa occupy the second spot with 36 points from four matches and a PCT of 75 per cent, followed by New Zealand, who sit third with a PCT of 72.22 per cent from six matches.

Bangladesh are ahead of India due to their Darwin win and occupy the fourth spot with a PCT of 55.56 per cent from six matches. India have 68 points from 11 games and a PCT of 51.52 per cent after winning the two-match Sri Lanka series 1-0, with the second Test ending in a draw.

Sri Lanka and West Indies are seventh and eighth, respectively, in the points table. The Lankan side has a PCT of 33.33 per cent from six matches, while the Windies have a PCT of 20.83 per cent from 12 games.

The top two teams will secure places in the WTC final, scheduled from June 9 to 13.