South Africa defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the Rawalpindi Test on Thursday, drawing the two-match series 1-1 and climbing the ICC World Test Championship standings.
The updated WTC 2025–27 table shows Pakistan slipping from second to fourth. They now have one win and one loss from two games, with 12 points and a 50% points percentage.
South Africa, who have played the same number of matches with an identical record, have moved up to fifth.
Australia continue to dominate at the top with three wins from three matches, while Sri Lanka sit second after a win and a draw against Bangladesh.
India hold third place with four victories from seven outings.
READ: South Africa dominate Pakistan to level Test series 1-1
Chasing only 68 for victory, skipper Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton provided South Africa with a rapid start, putting on a 64-run opening stand to put the result beyond doubt.
Noman Ali offered a short-lived breakthrough by removing Markram for 42 and sending Tristan Stubbs back for a duck in the same over, but the Proteas crossed the line comfortably in 12.3 overs. Rickelton stayed unbeaten on 25.
Pakistan’s downfall came earlier in the day when they folded for just 138 in their second innings despite Babar Azam’s fighting half-century.
The collapse wiped away the advantage they had earned through a solid first-innings total of 333, featuring contributions from Shan Masood (87), Abdullah Shafique (57), Saud Shakeel (66) and Salman Ali Agha (45).
South Africa’s spinners took charge throughout the match. Keshav Maharaj claimed 7/102 in the first innings, while Simon Harmer destroyed Pakistan’s second innings with figures of 6/50.
With the bat, South Africa’s first-innings score of 404 proved decisive. Senuran Muthusamy anchored the effort with an unbeaten 89, supported by Tristan Stubbs (76), Tony de Zorzi (55) and an attacking 71 from Kagiso Rabada.
Asif Afridi impressed for Pakistan with 6/79, but the visitors’ 71-run lead turned out to be more than enough.
The series ends 1-1, leaving both teams at 50% on the WTC table — and with plenty to ponder as the long Test cycle continues.
