Sri Lanka's win over Bangladesh help Pakistan in ICC World Test Championship standings
The Lankans also made significant improvement
Sri Lanka's emphatic victory over Bangladesh in the first Test has propelled Pakistan forward in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 standings.
Following the Sri Lankan Lions' commanding triumph over the Bangladesh Tigers by an imposing margin of 328 runs, Sri Lanka has also ascended significantly in the latest rankings.
This marked Sri Lanka’s eighth away Test victory against the hosts, maintaining their flawless unbeaten record in Tests in Bangladesh. On three occasions, their encounters there have culminated in draws.
The outcome has elevated Sri Lanka from the bottom of the WTC standings to a joint-sixth position with Bangladesh. Before this match, Sri Lanka occupied the lowest rank with 0 points, whereas Bangladesh held the fourth position with 12 points after participating in two games and maintaining a points percentage of 50.
As a consequence of this result, Sri Lanka have garnered 12 points in three matches with a points percentage of 33.33, placing them ahead of South Africa (25 per cent) and England (17.50 per cent), who currently occupy the bottom of the table.
Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka now share the same number of points (12) and points percentage (33.33), positioning them jointly in sixth place.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has climbed one position to fourth place with a points percentage of 36.66, while the West Indies, with a similar points percentage to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, has advanced to fifth place with a higher points tally of 16.
ICC WTC Standings 2023-25
Bangladesh commenced the day at 47/5, with Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam at the crease. In the third over of the day, Sri Lanka's Kasun Rajitha dismissed Islam for 6, caught in front of the wickets.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz then partnered with Haque to initiate Bangladesh's innings' resurgence. Together, they compiled a resilient partnership of 66 runs before Rajitha claimed his second wicket of the day, dismissing Miraz for 33. As lunch approached, the hosts stood at 129/7, requiring an additional 382 runs to win.
Despite Haque's valiant efforts, the inevitability of Bangladesh's defeat became apparent with only three wickets remaining. Shortly after the lunch interval, Rajitha secured two more wickets to complete his five-wicket haul, marking his second such achievement in Test cricket.
Haque distinguished himself as the lone warrior, remaining unbeaten on 87, while Bangladesh succumbed to defeat. The two teams will reconvene for the final showdown of the tour, the second Test in Chattogram, commencing on 30th March.
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