Tag: WTC

  • World Test Championship 2025: Check WTC Updated Points Table, Final Date, Venue, And More | cricket news

    WTC 2025: The race for the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final is heating up, with teams jostling for a spot in the prestigious match set to take place at the iconic Lord’s Stadium in England. The latest developments in the WTC standings and the announcement of the final’s details have set the stage for an exciting conclusion to this global Test cricket event.

    Bangladesh Stuns Pakistan with Historic Series Sweep

    Bangladesh made headlines by achieving a historic 2-0 series sweep against Pakistan in their own backyard. In the second Test of the series, Bangladesh secured a convincing six-wicket victory, marking their first-ever clean sweep against an Asian side away from home. Pakistan, who had hoped to bounce back after a crushing 10-wicket defeat in the first Test, failed to deliver in the second match, further complicating their World Test Championship campaign.

    Impact on the World Test Championship Standings

    Pakistan’s disappointing performance has left them languishing in the eighth position on the WTC points table, with just 16 points from seven matches. This loss significantly hampers their chances of making it to the final, as they remain stuck in the second-to-last position. In contrast, Bangladesh’s impressive showing has propelled them to sixth place with 33 points from six matches.

    India continues to lead the WTC standings with 68.52 points from nine games, closely followed by Australia, who have amassed 62.5 points from 12 matches. These two cricketing powerhouses are currently the frontrunners for a spot in the 2025 WTC final.

    WTC Final Dates And Venue Announced

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced the dates for the much-anticipated 2025 World Test Championship final. The match is scheduled to take place at Lord’s Stadium in London from June 11 to June 15, 2025, with June 16 reserved as a backup day in case of any disruptions.

    Past Champions Set the Bar High

    The WTC final has already produced memorable moments in its brief history. New Zealand emerged as the inaugural champions in 2021, defeating India by eight wickets. In the second edition, Australia claimed the title by beating India by 209 runs at The Oval in London. These thrilling finals have set high expectations for the 2025 edition, promising another exciting chapter in the championship’s history.

    India And Australia Lead The Charge

    India and Australia are currently the top contenders for reaching the WTC final once again. India’s consistent performance has placed them at the top of the table, while Australia is not far behind, making both teams the favorites for a rematch at Lord’s. With both teams showcasing exceptional form, the anticipation for the final is already building.

    Lord’s To Host Another Historic Final

    The decision to host the 2025 WTC final at Lord’s underscores the ICC’s commitment to celebrating Test cricket at historic venues. Known as the “Home of Cricket,” Lord’s has a rich history of hosting iconic matches, and the upcoming WTC final promises to be another landmark event. Cricket fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting what could be an unforgettable showdown between the sport’s giants.

    As teams continue to battle it out in the ongoing WTC cycle, all eyes will be on Lord’s in June 2025, where the world’s best Test teams will compete for the ultimate prize in the longest format of the game.

  • Pat Cummins Suggests Specific Window For Test Cricket And IPL | Cricket News

    Cummins calls for schedule streamlining to avoid clash between IPL and Test matches London, Jul 7 (PTI) Australia skipper Pat Cummins feels that a more dedicated window for Tests is needed so that players can chalk their individual schedule and preparation, particularly by those cricketers who wish to play in franchise-based leagues such as the IPL. The Indian Premier League now has a specific window every year across April and May, where not too many Test matches take place.

    “Franchise cricket for some countries is more lucrative, more appealing than international cricket,” Cummins was quoted by Sydney Morning Herald.

    “If I went and played franchise cricket, I could probably be away for a half or a third of the amount we are for Australia. (IND vs ZIM 2nd T20I: Records Tumble As Abhishek Sharma Hits Maiden Century For Team India)

    “In Australia, Test cricket is from November to January, and basically, no other cricket is going to get in the way of us playing Test cricket then. If we can have specific windows for IPL, but then also Test windows, that makes the decision-making for the players a lot easier,” Cummins said while speaking at the MCC World Cricket Connects 2024 at Lord’s.

    In 2025, Australia could play the World Test Championship final in June, right after the conclusion of the IPL, followed by the tour to the West Indies, which includes two Tests, three ODIs and as many T20Is.

    Additionally, Cricket Australia Chairman, Mike Bird called for the sustainability of playing Test cricket.

    “Do you have a smaller amount of Test-playing nations that are sustainable, as opposed to trying to prop up a system with additional cost that is adding to the economic challenges of maintaining Test cricket?” he wondered.

    Bird also called for ideas that would be sufficiently suited to playing the traditional format.

    “We (Cricket Australia) don’t feel (we) should dictate to any country, but we’re open to ideas and proposals on how to support Test playing full stop.”

    “There’s a summer to fill, and white-ball cricket can play a role, but (Test cricket) still remains the dominant game in Australia. It is very clear Australia will support and invest and grow Test cricket opportunities as long as we possibly can,” Bird added.