England picked up a stunning win over Pakistan in the first Test at Multan Cricket Stadium to move to fourth position in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table. Pakistan, on the other hand, sank further and slipped to ninth spot. Pakistan would have hoped for a better result after they posted a score of 556 in the first innings, courtesy of centuries from Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, and Agha Salman. The score, however, was not good enough as England posted a massive score of 827/7, with Joe Root scoring 262 and Harry Brook making 317, in their first innings before bowling out Pakistan for 220, winning the game by an innings and 47 runs.

The defeat has almost ended Pakistan's hopes of reaching the WTC final. Even if Pakistan win the following two matches against England and then beat South Africa in South Africa, they would struggle to finish in the top 2. Pakistan had a great chance of qualifying as they had to play five out of the last seven Tests at home, but they failed to show any form in favorable conditions and lost 2-0 to Bangladesh before the defeat to England.

Meanwhile, England's chances of reaching the WTC final are all but over despite the win. England had a shaky start to the campaign and they could not recover well enough. Their campaign was also marred by slow overrate that saw England lose crucial WTC points. Even if England beat Pakistan 3-0 and beat New Zealand in the following series, England would only reach a PCT of 55.9 which should not be enough.

India Sit Comfortably On Top

Meanwhile, India sit comfortably on top in the WTC table, with eight wins and two defeats, and a PCT of 74.24. If India can beat New Zealand 3-0, they should confirm a berth in the WTC final.

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