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]

Please add your votes in poll

@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.

 

[Justcrazy]

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.

Lets see , to be honest every team has a chance. Too early to say anything right now.

 

[sweep_shot]

Lets see , to be honest every team has a chance. Too early to say anything right now.

I think we may see England vs South Africa in the next WTC final.

 

[mominsaigol]

I think we may see England vs South Africa in the next WTC final.

England vs NZ. I back NZ as well. But NZ will lose another final

 

[sweep_shot]

England vs NZ. I back NZ as well. But NZ will lose another final

South Africa are better than NZ in my opinion.

Now that SA have broken their ICC trophy drought, I think they may win more ICC trophies.

A bit like how Spain started to win trophies after 2010 FIFA WC.

 

[mominsaigol]

South Africa are better than NZ in my opinion.

Now that SA have broken their ICC trophy drought, I think they may win more ICC trophies.

A bit like how Spain started to win trophies after 2010 FIFA WC.

Fair enough, I hope they win 2027 wc

 

[sweep_shot]

Fair enough, I hope they win 2027 wc

They are better in Test than LOI.

They lost De Kock, Klaasen etc. to retirements. So, I am not sure if they can win 2027 WC.

They have a better chance in WTC.

 

[mominsaigol]

They are better in Test than LOI.

They lost De Kock, Klaasen etc. to retirements. So, I am not sure if they can win 2027 WC. But, they have a good chance in winning WTC again.

Well im just hoping. But I'll be fine with it.

But Idk man, England suffered a bit of a drought from 2021 to 2025.

I dont think they will lose. The main challenge is ashes where they are poor and can get a 5-0 drubbing .

But Im backing them since I believe Pakistan and India will provide them 8 free wins.

Enfland is defo loosing the pink ball test vs aus, thats for sure

 

[Ball Blazer]

Not a possibility when you get to play Test once in a blue moon. Despite the easy fixtures, it does not seem probable that they would make it to the final.

6 teams are playing Test cricket, and Pakistan have no scheduled matches for the next two months.

Pakistan are scheduled to play just 5 Test matches this year, 3 have already been played, and only 2 are planned in the next 6 months.

 

[Katwalindian]

Not a possibility when you get to play Test once in a blue moon. Despite the easy fixtures, it does not seem probable that they would make it to the final.

6 teams are playing Test cricket, and Pakistan have no scheduled matches for the next two months.

Pakistan are scheduled to play just 5 Test matches this year, 3 have already been played, and only 2 are planned in the next 6 months.

Each team is playing six series each, so no point of complaining, last cycle pakistan played more test than South africa, this cycle they are playing more...goal should be to reach final....

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

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.

Pakistan are pretty much guaranteed to lose a test match in the West Indies. They are also almost guaranteed to drop games at home. Most likely one each against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Historically, Pakistan have been competitive in England, but with the pitches there being flatter now, I think a whitewash is very likely this time. No way Pakistan is making the WTC final. Which you shouldn't be expecting anyway when your team has finished dead last on the points table in the previous edition.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

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

I find it funny that you used 'plan' and 'Pakistan' in the same sentence.

 

[BouncerGuy]

The ways things are going for Pakistan, like they are gonna play a test match after a year, I think that it is gonna stay a pipe dream for Pakistan to qualify..

No hopes.

 

[mominsaigol]

Pakistan are pretty much guaranteed to lose a test match in the West Indies. They are also almost guaranteed to drop games at home. Most likely one each against Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Historically, Pakistan have been competitive in England, but with the pitches there being flatter now, I think a whitewash is very likely this time. No way Pakistan is making the WTC final. Which you shouldn't be expecting anyway when your team has finished dead last on the points table in the previous edition.

Tbh it was a different england back then. First of we lost to england in 2020 which was the last time we toured them. We drew 2 matches and lost 1.

Secondly this was team England at the time

1) Rory Burns (A Shan Masood level batsmen not worth lacing Duckett's boots)

2) Dom Silbey (Same as Rory, I get the back Crawley criticism but hes >>>>> These 2 easily)

3) Joe root

4) Ben Stokes

5) Ollie Pope

6) Jos Butler

7) Chris Woakes

^^ Their bowling lineup with anderson, Archer, Stuart Broad was solid yes but their batting was a joke.

Butler is not a good test player, infact hes terrible. And the order doesnt suit the batters. Ollie pope is not a no 5, Ben stokes should play at 6, Root at 4.

At best they have a semi decent middle order elevated by root but a joke lower order and a joke opening combo.

Current England is too strong. Their bowling is weaker but Brooks is our papa. He owns us. Root has only gotten better and better, Ben Duckett is a revelation, Jamie Smith is a massive improvement at no 7, Ben Stokes has become a better captain over the years, and even though zack Crawley and Ollie pope are poor, their far > the previous 2020 joke opening combo and they can bazzball and end you on their given day.

Their still capable of scoring rapid fire 100's and destroying the opposition on their day.

 

[mominsaigol]

Tbh it was a different england back then. First of we lost to england in 2020 which was the last time we toured them. We drew 2 matches and lost 1.

Secondly this was team England at the time

1) Rory Burns (A Shan Masood level batsmen not worth lacing Duckett's boots)

2) Dom Silbey (Same as Rory, I get the back Crawley criticism but hes >>>>> These 2 easily)

3) Joe root

4) Ben Stokes

5) Ollie Pope

6) Jos Butler

7) Chris Woakes

^^ Their bowling lineup with anderson, Archer, Stuart Broad was solid yes but their batting was a joke.

Butler is not a good test player, infact hes terrible. And the order doesnt suit the batters. Ollie pope is not a no 5, Ben stokes should play at 6, Root at 4.

At best they have a semi decent middle order elevated by root but a joke lower order and a joke opening combo.

Current England is too strong. Their bowling is weaker but Brooks is our papa. He owns us. Root has only gotten better and better, Ben Duckett is a revelation, Jamie Smith is a massive improvement at no 7, Ben Stokes has become a better captain over the years, and even though zack Crawley and Ollie pope are poor, their far > the previous 2020 joke opening combo and they can bazzball and end you on their given day.

Their still capable of scoring rapid fire 100's and destroying the opposition on their day.

@RedwoodOriginal Its also a different version of Pakistan.

The current version is far weaker obviously.

The old opening to no 3 combo was abid ali, Shan Masood and Azhar Ali. While this is bad

Our current opening combo if Abdullah, Saim and Shan is statistically worse. Saim may be talented sure, but he's performed worse then azhar and abid ironically. Same can be said for Abdullah however unlike saim he isnt talented at all.

Babar's form is 100x worse in test cricket then it was in 2020.

Saud shakeel is an improvement over 2020 asad but saud is a deer in the headlights in England conditons. We'll see how he performs as he did well in SA, but other then that, in foreign conditons he has been as bad as asad shafiq even if he is > Asad ability wise.

Rizwan has improved since 2020 i agree in that and agha is an improvement over shadab.

But bowling has declined, Shaheen and Naseem have declined, Abass has improved and but we lost yasir shah.

He performed extremely well in england in 2020 despite his form declining.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Tbh it was a different england back then. First of we lost to england in 2020 which was the last time we toured them. We drew 2 matches and lost 1.

Secondly this was team England at the time

1) Rory Burns (A Shan Masood level batsmen not worth lacing Duckett's boots)

2) Dom Silbey (Same as Rory, I get the back Crawley criticism but hes >>>>> These 2 easily)

3) Joe root

4) Ben Stokes

5) Ollie Pope

6) Jos Butler

7) Chris Woakes

^^ Their bowling lineup with anderson, Archer, Stuart Broad was solid yes but their batting was a joke.

Butler is not a good test player, infact hes terrible. And the order doesnt suit the batters. Ollie pope is not a no 5, Ben stokes should play at 6, Root at 4.

At best they have a semi decent middle order elevated by root but a joke lower order and a joke opening combo.

Current England is too strong. Their bowling is weaker but Brooks is our papa. He owns us. Root has only gotten better and better, Ben Duckett is a revelation, Jamie Smith is a massive improvement at no 7, Ben Stokes has become a better captain over the years, and even though zack Crawley and Ollie pope are poor, their far > the previous 2020 joke opening combo and they can bazzball and end you on their given day.

Their still capable of scoring rapid fire 100's and destroying the opposition on their day.

Yes in those conditions this is a far stronger England side and a far weaker Pakistan side. England have won tough matches at home against much better teams.

The biggest reason why I don't see Pakistan winning is that even when England are on the backfoot, they find a way to come back and chase down something like 370 because the flatter pitches means no demons in the pitch, so the game becomes completely about mental toughness. Whereas Pakistan, in the past, have generally shown themselves unable to handle that pressure even when pitches are flat and to the advantage of their batsmen.

 

[mominsaigol]

Yes in those conditions this is a far stronger England side and a far weaker Pakistan side. England have won tough matches at home against much better teams.

The biggest reason why I don't see Pakistan winning is that even when England are on the backfoot, they find a way to come back and chase down something like 370 because the flatter pitches means no demons in the pitch, so the game becomes completely about mental toughness. Whereas Pakistan, in the past, have generally shown themselves unable to handle that pressure even when pitches are flat and to the advantage of their batsmen.

The issue is fitness and stamina as well. Pre Aqib pitch doctoring,

The last time england toured they beat us through fitness alone. Shan and Abdullah despite scoring 100's gave their wickets away not because their poor(they are but not on roads) but because they literally did not have the stamina to bat in the heat. They were huffing and puffing.

The same thing happened to our other batters. Babar, Rizwan and Saud lapse in concentration and tiredness was evident with them cramping, and constantly huffing and puffing.

However england didnt suffer at all. Brooks and root showed zero signs of exhaustion. It's also why england declared on day 4 and not day 5.

They strategically declared after Pakistani fielders were virtually fried in the field. Its why they collapsed. They had no stamina to bat.

While heat wont be an issue in england and the weather will be pleasant, it doesnt change the fact that our bowlers, Fielders and batters just do not have the displince to play very long innings or bowl long spells or field for extensively long periods.

Even Saud who is considered a test specialist has terrible concentration and his fitness isnt that great.

 

[harshjoshi87]

England will be one of the finalists, other finalist depends on the Ashes & Border Gavaskar Trophy results.

South Africa will most certainly lose in Asia. New Zealand is also scheduled to play 4 test matches in Australia.

Most likely finalists for WTC 25-27

England v India
OR
England v Australia

 

[Justcrazy]

I find it funny that you used 'plan' and 'Pakistan' in the same sentence.

Well , its upto PCB , without proper plan iots not going to be possible.

 

[mominsaigol]

England will be one of the finalists, other finalist depends on the Ashes & Border Gavaskar Trophy results.

South Africa will most certainly lose in Asia. New Zealand is also scheduled to play 4 test matches in Australia.

Most likely finalists for WTC 25-27

England v India
OR
England v Australia

Naw dw, India aint qualifying ghat much ik. Just watch.

England and NZ will qualify

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Well , its upto PCB , without proper plan iots not going to be possible.

I don't see it happening bro. Because it has never happened before

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

The issue is fitness and stamina as well. Pre Aqib pitch doctoring,

The last time england toured they beat us through fitness alone. Shan and Abdullah despite scoring 100's gave their wickets away not because their poor(they are but not on roads) but because they literally did not have the stamina to bat in the heat. They were huffing and puffing.

The same thing happened to our other batters. Babar, Rizwan and Saud lapse in concentration and tiredness was evident with them cramping, and constantly huffing and puffing.

However england didnt suffer at all. Brooks and root showed zero signs of exhaustion. It's also why england declared on day 4 and not day 5.

They strategically declared after Pakistani fielders were virtually fried in the field. Its why they collapsed. They had no stamina to bat.

While heat wont be an issue in england and the weather will be pleasant, it doesnt change the fact that our bowlers, Fielders and batters just do not have the displince to play very long innings or bowl long spells or field for extensively long periods.

Even Saud who is considered a test specialist has terrible concentration and his fitness isnt that great.

It's a cumulative effect but yes, you can't underestimate what a role fitness plays on a team. For me that's the biggest thing differentiating Pakistan from a professional team like New Zealand, which isn't exactly a goldmine of talent,bas a country.

Fitness impacts every aspect of your game from your fielding to your ability to bowl long and effective spells, or even bat for long periods of time.

 

[Markhor]

That's actually a favourable draw on paper ! However most of our series are two Tests which leaves little margin for error.

For me the biggest question is how we take 20 wickets consistently home and away ? We can spin teams out on dustbowls in Pakistan but we can't compete overseas with not even one reliable seamer in our ranks.

Of course the moment anyone looks promising they get injured.