Pakistan's road to WTC 2025–27 final - Pipe dream or a possibility?

[Cricket Warrior]

Pakistan’s full itinerary for the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 has been unveiled, outlining a challenging road ahead with 13 Tests across six series. Interestingly, the team won’t face either India or Australia—two powerhouse Test sides—during this cycle. Notably, Pakistan last played a Test series against India back in 2007.

The schedule features a balanced split of home and away fixtures. On home soil, Pakistan will host South Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand—each for two-Test series. Their overseas campaigns include two Tests each against Bangladesh and the West Indies, along with a tough three-Test series in England slated for August–September 2026.

While avoiding India and Australia might seem like a reprieve on paper, Pakistan’s underwhelming performance in the previous cycle tells a different story. They ended bottom of the table, managing just five victories in 14 matches.

The Pakistan Cricket Board continues its approach of format-specific squads, but big questions remain—particularly around the appointment of a full-time Test captain and head coach before the new cycle kicks off.

Pakistan’s WTC campaign will open with a home series against South Africa in October–November 2025. The team will then tour Bangladesh in March 2026, followed by visits to the West Indies and England. The campaign wraps up with home series against Sri Lanka in November 2026 and New Zealand in March 2027.

The new cycle officially begins on June 17, when Sri Lanka hosts Bangladesh in Galle for the opening Test.

 

[sweep_shot]

It is a possibility.

Apart from the away England series, all other series are winnable.

 

[ElRaja]

pak have dropped tests to bang and wi at home, unless pak can magically unearth some technically proficient batsmen and seamers i dont see them having more wins than losses, and 50% aint enough to qualify for the finals.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

pak have dropped tests to bang and wi at home, unless pak can magically unearth some technically proficient batsmen and seamers i dont see them having more wins than losses, and 50% aint enough to qualify for the finals.

Well that bangladesh series was the one where pak messed up by preparing fast bowling pitches had they created even spin pitches which they are doing now and 1 st test which they lost to south africa should have won that pak moght have been in the finals and we all remeber how badly pak beaten bangladesh in their den on those spin pitches hopefully aqib knows pak strength is their spin bowling now will need to make spin pitches vs south africa at home.

 

[ElRaja]

Well that bangladesh series was the one where pak messed up by preparing fast bowling pitches had they created even spin pitches which they are doing now and 1 st test which they lost to south africa should have won that pak moght have been in the finals and we all remeber how badly pak beaten bangladesh in their den on those spin pitches hopefully aqib knows pak strength is their spin bowling now will need to make spin pitches vs south africa at home.

bang players play spin better than pak players. making spinning pitches versus asian teams will make test matches toss lotteries, bang and SL could defend 150 on those pitches against these pakistani batters.

 

[Nasty Naz]

It's a favourable schedule but Pakistan are such a bad team in Tests with a bad bowling attack and batters who can't play spin (outside of a couple of batsmen).

If they are going to keep rolling out spinning pitches, particularly vs SENA countries, that's their best chance to win but they have to improve vs spin themselves. Against asian teams, they should look to roll out some flatter/pacey attacks. Regardless, they need to dominate at home to have a chance.

 

[mango_bite77]

Except England, they can win all of them, only if they have stable and reliable bowling line up which can take 20 wickets without conceding too much runs.

 

[harshjoshi87]

In all probability, India will play Pakistan in WTC 2025-27 final at Lord's / The Oval.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

Pipe dream. Pakistan are a ordinary side at best. Fully expect England to win the next WTC cycle.

 

[MenInG]

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@aboveandbeyond @Nasty Naz @mango_bite77 @ElRaja @Aqib_mustafa @sweep_shot @harshjoshi87

 

[Extra_Cover]

For Pakistan to be worthy of Test Championship Final they need to be a worthy international opponent. At the moment SENA teams literally field B/C teams against Pakistan.

Yes we have won some tests by preparing spin tracks at home but we have also lost to likes of WI and Bang which is very pathetic to say the least. For Pakistan to make it to finals they would have to comprehensively win matches at home which begs two fundamental questions.
1. Does the other team have better spinners than Pakistan?
2. Does the other team have better spin players than Pakistan?

If we categorise the following questions in light of our opponents at home my assessment would be.

Opponent	Better spinners than Pakistan?	Better spin batters than Pakistan?
South Africa	No. Nauman, Sajid and Abrar outweighs the likes of Linde, Maharaj.	No. I expect Bavuma, Stubbs, Rickleton to struggle against spin. The likes of Elgar is gone.
Sri Lanka	Debatable. I feel Pakistan spinners are quite competitive even against the likes of Lankan spinners.	Yes. Our batters especially Babar, Saim have struggled against left arm spinners.
New Zealand	No. Pakistan spinners are better than Ajaz, Ish, Santner or Phillips.	Yes. The likes of Ravindra, Williamson, Phillips are better spin players in my opinion.

On paper Pakistan should defeat SAF whilst SL and NZ can be very competitive. If Pakistan is to do well for WTC then they need a sweep here no questions about it.

On away tours we should win against Bangladesh. Windies is tricky as Pakistan has historically struggled against them away but Windies are in a constant decline so you never know. On paper we should defeat Windies. England we are losing no doubts here.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

For Pakistan to be worthy of Test Championship Final they need to be a worthy international opponent. At the moment SENA teams literally field B/C teams against Pakistan.

Yes we have won some tests by preparing spin tracks at home but we have also lost to likes of WI and Bang which is very pathetic to say the least. For Pakistan to make it to finals they would have to comprehensively win matches at home which begs two fundamental questions.
1. Does the other team have better spinners than Pakistan?
2. Does the other team have better spin players than Pakistan?

If we categorise the following questions in light of our opponents at home my assessment would be.

Opponent	Better spinners than Pakistan?	Better spin batters than Pakistan?
South Africa	No. Nauman, Sajid and Abrar outweighs the likes of Linde, Maharaj.	No. I expect Bavuma, Stubbs, Rickleton to struggle against spin. The likes of Elgar is gone.
Sri Lanka	Debatable. I feel Pakistan spinners are quite competitive even against the likes of Lankan spinners.	Yes. Our batters especially Babar, Saim have struggled against left arm spinners.
New Zealand	No. Pakistan spinners are better than Ajaz, Ish, Santner or Phillips.	Yes. The likes of Ravindra, Williamson, Phillips are better spin players in my opinion.

On paper Pakistan should defeat SAF whilst SL and NZ can be very competitive. If Pakistan is to do well for WTC then they need a sweep here no questions about it.

On away tours we should win against Bangladesh. Windies is tricky as Pakistan has historically struggled against them away but Windies are in a constant decline so you never know. On paper we should defeat Windies. England we are losing no doubts here.

Bro great points you made ya i have full confidence in noman and sajid they should beat south africa easily with likes of agha and saud they will take care of south africa spinners and sri lanka again pakistan has great chance of beating then pak beat them in their den should beat them again nz can be stubborn but as long pak has some runs on board noman and sajid will win pak most matches.

 

[Usman Chadda]

We keep losing to Bangladesh and West Indies, so such threads should be the last thing on our mind.

Developing Test level cricketers should be the main priority, results will come in the future.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Honestly that’s a very favourable draw.

 

[Katwalindian]

Their best chance otherwise in next cycle they are touring England for five tests, touring nz, hosting Aus which will be difficult...

 

[Sarmad]

First deserve then desire ....

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

We keep losing to Bangladesh and West Indies, so such threads should be the last thing on our mind.

Developing Test level cricketers should be the main priority, results will come in the future.

This is the worst I've seen this team. I thought 2015 was bad, this is now worse.

There are no world class players coming through. This drought, its been years. Since Babar Azam, nothing.

Fast bowlers? Zero, nobody.

Spinners? Since Yasir Shah, nobody.

Something is very broken and I don't think they know how to fix it.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Sorry it again looks unlikely, the path seems simple but PCT isn't even close to good adjective at the moment.

 

[mominsaigol]

Sorry it again looks unlikely, the path seems simple but PCT isn't even close to good adjective at the moment.

Not that simple. Assuming aqib ball continues

1) Pak vs SA: Toss dependant, otherwise if aqib ball is finished SA will 100% win. Lets assume stars align and Pakistan wins 2-0

2) Pak vs Bang: Depends as to what Bangladesh curates however i back Pakistan to win this 2-0

3) Pak vs Wi: Wi will win away 100%

4) Pak vs Eng:

5) pak vs Sri lanka: Toss dependant but Sri Lanka bowling is poor so PK should win

6) Pak vs NZ: Toss dependant otherwise nz will win.

 

[mominsaigol]

Not that simple. Assuming aqib ball continues

1) Pak vs SA: Toss dependant, otherwise if aqib ball is finished SA will 100% win. Lets assume stars align and Pakistan wins 2-0

2) Pak vs Bang: Depends as to what Bangladesh curates however i back Pakistan to win this 2-0

3) Pak vs Wi: Wi will win away 100%

4) Pak vs Eng:

5) pak vs Sri lanka: Toss dependant but Sri Lanka bowling is poor so PK should win

6) Pak vs NZ: Toss dependant otherwise nz will win.

Imo, if I was aqib id be brave and stop this doctoring farce.

Dont get wrong, I think we should curate spin pitches like uae at home but not doctored dustbowls.

Play fair and dont cheese it.

 

[mominsaigol]

Not that simple. Assuming aqib ball continues

1) Pak vs SA: Toss dependant, otherwise if aqib ball is finished SA will 100% win. Lets assume stars align and Pakistan wins 2-0

2) Pak vs Bang: Depends as to what Bangladesh curates however i back Pakistan to win this 2-0

3) Pak vs Wi: Wi will win away 100%

4) Pak vs Eng:

5) pak vs Sri lanka: Toss dependant but Sri Lanka bowling is poor so PK should win

6) Pak vs NZ: Toss dependant otherwise nz will win.

Issue with this cycle is that its way too Toss dependant with wngland being a certified 3-0 drubbing.

Pakistan bring historically good in England means nothing. Avg and stat padding won't matter as england is simply relying on outbatting everyone.

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan can make the finals , if they plan properly and prepare turning pitches at home and use genuine spinners.

 

[mominsaigol]

Pakistan can make the finals , if they plan properly and prepare turning pitches at home and use genuine spinners.

England is winning wtc 2027. Book mark this in 2 years.

The only real worry is Ashes. That's the one thing that can turn this prediction inside out.