The World Test Championship is a new competition designed to increase the importance of Test cricket in a world dominated by shorter formats. The tournament, launched in 2019, uses a league and final format and includes all nine full-member teams of the ICC. Each team will play three series, each consisting of two to five Test matches. The competition lasts for two years and culminates in a final match between the top two teams.

South Africa swept to victory in the 2023-2025 World Test Championship final, ending a 28-year trophy drought. Aiden Markram’s nerveless fourth innings century and his vital partnership with Temba Bavuma were the hallmarks of a dominant display at Lord’s, as the Proteas won the Nation’s Ultimate Test by a margin of five wickets.

After winning their first Test of the 2025 cycle, Pakistan will enter the second phase of the ICC World Test Championship with a positive feeling after securing an impressive 93-run win over defending champions South Africa in Lahore. The Shan Masood-led side will head into the second leg of their two-Test series with high hopes of a strong showing and a good ranking boost.

The World Test Championship has been criticized by some as being unfair, with richer nations able to field four-Test series against each other that are likely to be high quality and lucrative but difficult to win, while smaller countries playing two-Test series receive less interest and money but also face fewer fixture fatigue. Nevertheless, the ICC has only itself to blame for the way the championship is run, which is a reflection of its status as an event organiser rather than a guardian of the game’s upper echelons.