South Africa Qualify For 2025 World Test Championship Final After Beating Pakistan: South Africa is now off the mark for the 2025 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final by going out with a bang over Pakistan in the Centurion Test as they sealed their commanding perch in the WTC standings towards the long-awaited final entry in this form. Meanwhile, the race for the second finalist in the WTC final is heating up. India and Australia are the favorites, while Sri Lanka still has an outside chance
Victory of South Africa Against Pakistan
Pakistan was restricted within their first innings, scoring 211 runs, with Kamran Ghulam fighting valiantly to make 54. Marco Jansen was the harbinger of the South African assault, taking 6/52, marking his second-best figures in Tests. In reply, Proteas had put on 301 for Aiden Markram with 89 as openers fell early. The second innings of Pakistan was capped at a mere 237 to set the target even smaller for South Africa, who achieved it on Day 4.
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WTC 2023-25 Standings and Impact
Their PCT is now 66.67%, so the Proteas qualify. They have been fair across the cycle and wins over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh early on have worked to reinforce the place. This is where South African cricket gains momentum towards the global stage. Especially following its recent dark past in other formats.
Thrilling Contest for the 2nd Spot
The only spot that has officially been filled is that of South Africa, and the fight will now continue to relish the remaining slot. India, Australia, and Sri Lanka are all closely contesting for the spot. India has to perform well in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, whereas Pakistan’s loss in the Centurion Test makes things a tad more complicated for them because they must now win all their remaining matches, praying that everything else also goes their way.
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Historical Achievement for South Africa
This is quite a landmark achievement for South Africa, which missed the very first WTC final and then did badly in the present cycle of 2021-23. The mix of experienced players like Kagiso Rabada and a lot of new talents has made it a pretty balanced unit, quite capable of competing with the best in the business.
This will give South Africa a chance at claiming their first big ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 1998, added to the annals of their already storied cricket history.
