England secured a commanding victory over Pakistan in the first Test of the series, defeating the hosts by an innings and 47 runs at the Multan Cricket Stadium. This emphatic win not only gives England a 1-0 lead in the three-match series but also shakes up the (World Test Championship) WTC 2023-2025 Points Table.
After Pakistan’s defeat, they have slipped to the bottom of the WTC standings, now languishing in ninth place with a PCT (Percentage Points) of just 16.67. England, on the other hand, continues to climb, solidifying their position at fourth with 93 points and a PCT of 45.59 after 17 matches in this WTC cycle.
Pakistan’s dismal run in Test cricket continues, marking their sixth consecutive Test defeat. Despite a strong first innings where Pakistan posted 556 runs, featuring centuries from Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, and Salman Agha, their inability to capitalize on their efforts in the second innings left them exposed. England, led by a historic partnership between Joe Root (262) and *Harry Brook (300)**, amassed a mammoth total of 823/7, leaving Pakistan to falter in their second innings, bowled out for just 220.
As Cricket Recorder analysis suggests, Pakistan seems to be in the midst of a significant downturn in their Test form, struggling to find consistency both home and away. The collapse in Multan, especially after such a strong start, is a reflection of their broader struggles in red-ball cricket.
WTC 2023-25 Points Table (After 1st Test between Pakistan and England)
Several cricket experts took to social media to express their thoughts on Pakistan’s decline:
“Pakistan’s bowling attack has lacked bite for a while now, but to collapse in the way they did in the second innings is very concerning. Big changes needed in the setup!” – @CricExpert247
“Joe Root continues to make history, while Pakistan’s woes only deepen. England’s dominance is clear, but the real question is: where does Pakistan go from here?” – @TheCricketGuru
“Pakistan’s downfall in Test cricket continues. Six losses in a row! Hard times ahead unless they address the key issues.” – @SportsAnalystPro
With the second Test scheduled to start on October 15, both teams will be looking to either continue their momentum or make a comeback. As Pakistan battles to avoid a series defeat, England will aim to build on their current form and continue their ascent in the World Test Championship.
Stay tuned with Cricket Recorder for more updates and expert analysis on the next phase of this gripping Test series. Subscribe us for the latest content early
