Pakistan’s Dismal Finish in WTC 2023–25 Cycle

Pakistan concluded its participation in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 with a disappointing ninth-place finish in the standings.

The campaign began promisingly with a 2-0 series victory against Sri Lanka. However, the team’s performance declined significantly thereafter, resulting in a series of unfavorable outcomes.

A 3-0 defeat against Australia during an away series, which also marked Shan Masood’s inaugural assignment as the team’s Test captain, highlighted the team’s struggles.

The situation worsened when Pakistan suffered a 2-0 defeat in a home series against Bangladesh, establishing an undesirable record under Shan’s leadership. The team briefly recovered by securing a 2-1 victory in a tightly contested three-match home series against England.

Hopes for a WTC Final qualification were shattered following a 2-0 series loss in South Africa. Pakistan’s WTC campaign concluded on a subdued note with a 1-1 series draw against West Indies in a two-match series.

The ICC recently disclosed a record prize pool of USD 5.76 million for the WTC 2023-25 cycle, which is more than double the amount offered in the previous two editions.

The winners of the WTC Final, which will take place at Lord’s, will receive USD 3.6 million, while the runners-up will be awarded USD 2.16 million.

Despite finishing at the bottom, Pakistan will receive USD 480,000 as part of the prize distribution.

India, who secured third place, will be awarded USD 1.44 million, while New Zealand, in fourth place, will receive USD 1.2 million.

England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and West Indies, who finished fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth, will receive USD 960,000, USD 840,000, USD 720,000, and USD 600,000, respectively.