Is the Bangladesh team in the race for the WTC final?

Bangladesh surprised the cricketing world by winning a 2-match Test series against Pakistan at their home today. It is their first win after failing 11 times in the past against India’s arch-rival, which is very special to them considering the current condition of their nation, which is dealing with riots and protests from students over government reservations. However, after whitewashing the Pakistan national cricket team on their home ground, they have created good memories. Not only that, the Bangla Tigers are also in the race for the WTC final, reaching the middle of the ICC World Test Championship standings by winning three matches so far in the WTC cycle.

They have now won the third Test in this cycle—they only won one across 19 matches in the first two editions combined. Talking about their position before the start of the series, they were just one place above West Indies, but now they have reached 4th place after winning the away series. Meanwhile, Pakistan, on the other hand, have now lost five successive Tests and have taken Bangladesh's place at eighth with half of their cycle matches being played.

Bangladesh will travel to India for a 2-match Test series, followed by a series against the West Indies, and then will host the Proteas at home to conclude their WTC cycle. During this period, they will play 2-Test matches against each of these teams. On the other hand, India’s arch-rival will head to South Africa for a two-Test series in December-January, where they are currently enduring a seven-Test losing streak. This series will be sandwiched between a home series against England in October (three Tests) and another series against the West Indies next January (two Tests).

Meanwhile, India has already secured their spot in the WTC cycle 2 final, finishing second behind Australia with a percentage points (PCT) of 58.2%. For Bangladesh to qualify, they would need to gather another 52 points from their last six Tests, which is achievable only through a combination of four wins and a draw.

Despite Bangladesh's strong chances, Pakistan finds themselves on the brink of elimination from the WTC if they lose their next Test match. To reach a PCT of 58.2%, Pakistan would need 84 points, requiring them to win all of their remaining seven Tests.