Pakistan beat England in the second Test in Multan to level the three-match series 1-1, with a decider still to be played. Here are the updated World Test Championship standings after the win.
Pakistan have finally managed to end their prolonged winless streak at home, having previously won a Test in their backyard in 2021. The newcomers set up the win after the squad underwent wholesale changes following their humiliating defeat in the series opener.
Kamran Ghulam, who replaced Babar Azam at No.4, spearheaded Pakistan’s batting display with a 224-ball 118 on his debut, taking them to 366 on a tired Multan pitch, the same one from the first match. In response, England were comfortably placed at 211-2 on day two before Sajid Khan, who was making his comeback, struck a series of decisive blows, including Joe Root (34) and Harry Brook (9) to reduce the tourists to 225-6.
Read more: From toss to selection to batting order, Gambhir and Rohit had a nightmare
Sajid took a seven-wicket haul to give the home side a decisive 75-run lead. Pakistan made 221 in the first innings, but the significant lead meant England had to chase 297 for a win on a treacherous surface that had undergone wear and tear.
Sajid Khan took a sly dig at the selectors for ignoring him after his game-changing spell on day two against England.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 17, 2024
Read here ➡️ https://t.co/IN4TbAGikn pic.twitter.com/cxdoEO93Pe
England were bundled out for 144 runs in the fourth innings, handing Pakistan victory by 152 runs. Left-arm spinner Noman Ali finished with stunning figures of 8-46, as he and Sajid Khan bowled unchanged for 33.3 overs in the innings.
Updated WTC points table: Pakistan gain a place, England remain fourth
Pakistan have played nine Tests in the current WTC cycle, winning three and losing six. They have also been deducted eight points due to slow over-rate. The victory in Multan improved their points percentage from 16.67 to 25.92, helping them to rise to the eighth position, previously held by West Indies.
On the other hand, England's PCT slipped from 45.59 to 43.06 with the defeat but they still managed to cling onto the fourth place.
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Drawn | Points deducted | Points | PCT |
| India | 11 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 98 | 74.24% |
| Australia | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 90 | 62.50% |
| Sri Lanka | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 55.56% |
| England | 18 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 19 | 93 | 43.06% |
| South Africa | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 38.89% |
| New Zealand | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 37.50% |
| Bangladesh | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 33 | 34.38% |
| Pakistan | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 28 | 25.92% |
| West Indies | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 18.52% |
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