Australia (AUS) has surged to the third position in the ICC World Test Championship points table following a convincing 79-run victory over Pakistan (PAK) in Melbourne today (December 29). With this triumph, the Australians have clinched an insurmountable 2-0 lead in the three-match home series against Shan Masood's team.
Captain Pat Cummins played a pivotal role in Australia's success, showcasing an outstanding performance by claiming 10 wickets in the Boxing Day Test. Cummins contributed five wickets in each of the two innings, causing significant disruptions to the Pakistan batting lineup.
This victory has elevated Australia's points to 50%, propelling them from the fifth position to the third spot in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points table. New Zealand in second place and Bangladesh in fourth also share 50% points in their accounts.
At the top of the table, South Africa maintains its position with a perfect 100% points after one match.
However, Pakistan's defeat to Australia has resulted in a decline in their standings, slipping from the second position to fifth in the ICC World Test Championship points table. The Shan Masood-led team dropped three places as their points percentage decreased from 61.11% to 45.83%.
In the current standings, India occupies the sixth position with 38.89% points, while West Indies, England, and Sri Lanka find themselves in the bottom three of the table.
While Australia has already secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, they will aim for a clean sweep in the remaining match to maximize their points in the WTC series.
On the other hand, Pakistan seeks redemption and aims to conclude the series on a positive note. Despite a commendable performance in the Boxing Day Test, Shan Masood's team faces the challenge of overturning the series deficit. The third Test is scheduled to commence on January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with live action starting at 5 am IST.