The cricketing world was treated to a dramatic shift in fortunes as Pakistan toppled defending champions South Africa in the opening Test of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 cycle, held at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium. On October 15, 2025, Pakistan stormed to a 93-run victory, snapping South Africa’s formidable 10-match winning streak and sending ripples through the WTC standings. The win, achieved inside four days, has not only energized Pakistani cricket fans but also thrown the championship race wide open, with significant implications for rivals like India and Australia.
The Lahore Test unfolded with all the ingredients of classic cricket drama. Pakistan, under the leadership of Shaan Masood, set the tone with a first-innings total of 378, which gave them a crucial 109-run lead after South Africa managed 269 in reply. The hosts then stumbled in their second innings, slipping from 150/4 to 167 all out, but that 109-run cushion meant South Africa faced a daunting target of 277 on a pitch showing signs of wear.
South Africa resumed the fourth morning at 51/2, with hopes of chasing the target and keeping their streak alive. But the day belonged to Pakistan’s bowlers, especially the left-arm spinner Noman Ali. Noman, who had already bagged 6/112 in the first innings, continued his relentless assault, finishing with 4/79 in the second to complete a remarkable match haul of 10 wickets for 191 runs. His efforts earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match honors. According to the updated WTC stats, “Noman Ali took 10 wickets for 191 runs in the match.”
Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s pace spearhead, also shone brightly, claiming 4/33 in the second innings and wrapping up the match by dismissing Kagiso Rabada in the 61st over. The South African chase, which at one point showed promise, collapsed spectacularly from 55/4, losing their last six wickets for just 55 runs. The Proteas were bowled out for 183, falling 93 runs short of the target and handing Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
This victory was more than just a result on the field—it triggered a seismic shift in the WTC points table. Pakistan earned 12 points for the win, jumping straight to second place with a perfect points percentage (PCT) of 100.00. Australia remains at the top, also boasting a 100.00 PCT after winning all three of their matches so far. The standings now read: Australia first, Pakistan second, Sri Lanka third (with a PCT of 66.67), and India dropping to fourth at 61.90 PCT.
India’s recent 2-0 series sweep over the West Indies, capped by a comfortable seven-wicket win in New Delhi, had initially boosted their WTC campaign. KL Rahul’s composed half-century while chasing 121, and Kuldeep Yadav’s incisive bowling in the first innings, were highlights. Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round brilliance earned him the Player of the Series award. However, Pakistan’s triumph over South Africa has put India’s position under pressure. As reported, “India fell to fourth position with 52 points from seven matches and a PCT of 61.90 after Pakistan’s win.”
The impact of this result reverberates well beyond the two teams involved. South Africa, who entered the match as reigning champions and riding high on a 10-match win streak, have now slipped to seventh place in the WTC table. Their PCT has plummeted to 0.00, and they face an uphill battle to recover in the second Test of the series. For Pakistan, the win represents a statement of intent at the start of their WTC campaign, and with another Test against South Africa looming, they have a golden opportunity to cement their standing.
Meanwhile, the ICC World Test Championship continues to evolve as the premier competition in Test cricket. Launched in 2019 by the International Cricket Council, the WTC brings together nine full-member nations—Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies—for a two-year cycle of bilateral Test series. Each team plays six series, three at home and three away, with points awarded as 12 for a win, 6 for a tie, and 4 for a draw. Rankings are determined by the percentage of points won, making every match and every session crucial.
Not all Test-playing nations participate in the WTC due to scheduling and competitive balance; Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe are currently excluded. The WTC final, scheduled for Lord’s in June 2027, promises to be the pinnacle of the traditional format. The previous two finals saw New Zealand defeating India in 2021 and Australia overpowering India in the subsequent cycle.
For India, the road ahead is far from straightforward. Despite their strong performance against the West Indies, the rise of Pakistan and Australia’s continued dominance mean the margin for error is slim. India’s next major challenge comes in the form of a two-match Test series against South Africa, starting November 14, 2025. With South Africa eager to bounce back and India needing to reclaim lost ground, the series could prove pivotal in shaping the WTC finalists.
Pakistan’s resurgence under Shaan Masood has injected fresh energy into the championship. The Lahore Test also coincided with Babar Azam’s 31st birthday—a personal milestone, though he didn’t have a match to remember individually. Still, as noted, “Today also happens to be Babar Azam’s 31st birthday and while it was not a game to remember personally, at least he got a present on the special day in the form of a Pakistan victory.”
As the WTC 2025-27 cycle gathers momentum, fans can expect more twists and turns. The updated standings after the Lahore Test are as follows: Australia (3 matches, 3 wins, 100.00 PCT), Pakistan (1 match, 1 win, 100.00 PCT), Sri Lanka (2 matches, 1 win, 66.67 PCT), India (7 matches, 4 wins, 61.90 PCT), England (5 matches, 2 wins, 43.33 PCT), Bangladesh (2 matches, 0 wins, 16.67 PCT), South Africa (1 match, 0 wins, 0.00 PCT), West Indies (5 matches, 0 wins, 0.00 PCT), and New Zealand yet to start.
With so much at stake and every team eyeing a spot in the Lord’s final, the race is wide open. Pakistan’s emphatic win over South Africa has not only reignited their own hopes but also set the stage for a fiercely contested WTC cycle. The cricketing world will be watching closely as the action continues, with every match now carrying even greater significance in the quest to be crowned Test champions.
