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The 7-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first Test played at Shere Bangla National Stadium has helped South Africa move to No. 4 position in the WTC 2023-25 points table.
South Africa beat Bangladesh by 7 wickets in 1st Test. (Picture Credit: AFP)
South Africa beat Bangladesh by 7 wickets in the first Test played at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday (October 24) to take a 1-0 lead in the ongoing two-match Test series. The visitors chased down the target of 106 runs for the loss of three wickets in 22 overs. Opening batter Tony de Zorzi top-scored for the Proteas by making 41 runs from 52 balls.
His good show with the bat came after star pacer Kagiso Rabada picked up six wickets for the Aiden Markram-led side in the second inning for 46 runs. The 29-year-old had earlier dismissed three Bangladeshi batters for 26 runs in the first inning and finished the match with figures of 9 for 72. During the process, he also became the fastest bowler (in terms of balls) to take 300 wickets in Tests.
The win in the series opener has helped Proteas boost its chances of playing in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final. They have moved to No. 4 position in the WTC 2023-25 points table from sixth and have 47.61 PCT%.
The visitors started the match at No. 6 position (38.89 PCT%) but are now ahead of New Zealand and England, who have 44.44 and 43.06 PCT%, respectively.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, has remained in No. 7 position, but their PCT% has dropped from 34.38 to 30.55 PCT%.
WTC 2023-25 points table (after 1st BAN-SA Test)
- India – 68.06
- Australia – 62.50
- Sri Lanka – 55.56
- South Africa – 47.61
- New Zealand – 44.44
- England – 43.06
- Bangladesh – 30.55
- Pakistan – 25.93
- West Indies – 18.52
Rohit Sharma-led Indian team, despite losing the first Test of the ongoing three-match series, continues to sit at the No. 1 position in the WTC 2023-25 points table. The two-time WTC losing finalists have 68.06 and they are followed by 2023 winners Australia (62.50 PCT%). Sri Lanka is in third place with 55.56.
After the Bangladesh series, the second match of which will start on October 29 in Chattogram, South Africa will face Sri Lanka and Pakistan in a two-match Test series each in front of home fans. If the Proteas manage to win the next five matches as well, then they will finish the WTC 2023-25 cycle with 69.44 PCT% and also confirm their place in the top two.
In such a scenario, the upcoming five-match Test series between India and Australia will become a must-win for both sides because the winner will then become the second team to qualify for the WTC final.
The final of the ongoing edition of WTC is scheduled to take place at Lord’s from June 11 to 15.
- Location :
Dhaka, Bangladesh
