Pakistan has no chance of reaching the final of the ICC Test Championship this time. Babar Azam, who is seventh in the points list of the Test Championship, is still getting importance in the discussion of the final at Lord's. The reason is, of course, their upcoming Test series against South Africa. In the series in which India may have to go wild, Pakistan's supporters.
Today, South Africa defeated the Sri Lankans by 109 runs in the second Test of the series. With this victory, the Proteas have moved very close to the final of the ICC Test Championship. South Africa will be sure of the final if they win just 1 match in the series against Pakistan. After winning the series 2-0 against Sri Lanka, Tembha Bavuma's team has risen to the top of the points list (63.33%).
Only four teams are now in the race to reach the final of the World Test Championship - South Africa, Australia, India and Sri Lanka.
If India wins all the remaining three Tests of the series against Australia, then India will not have to depend on anyone else. But if the hosts lose 2-0 against Pakistan, then India will be in the top two in the points table. In this case, Rohit Sharma can look forward to Pakistan winning the series.
India's loss in the day-night Test in Adelaide has made their final preparations a little difficult. Even if they win two of the remaining three Tests against Australia, they will be fine, but if the other match is drawn, then India will go to the final for the third time in a row.
And if they win 3-2, then we have to hope that Australia cannot win the series in Sri Lanka. And if Australia wins the series 2-0 against the Sri Lankans, then India will have no choice but to hope for Pakistan to win. Even if they win the series 2-1, if Australia whitewashes Sri Lanka, India will have to face Pakistan.
But if India draws the series 2-2 against Australia, then they will have to wait for the next series in Sri Lanka. If the Sri Lankans can draw both matches of the series with Australia at home, then the points between India and Australia (55.26%) will be equal.
In that case, India will advance due to the higher number of series wins. However, if India loses the series to Australia by any margin, their chances of playing the World Test Championship final will be over.