With India unable to eke out a win in the Colombo Test, thus losing out on eight crucial ICC WTC 2025-27 points, while Australia’s campaign is back on track with a smashing victory against Bangladesh in Mackay, the race to reach the World Test Championship’s final round is well and truly on. With 33 matches remaining in this cycle, here are all the ways a competing nation can reach the 60% mark, a score that should reasonably qualify a team for the final.
ICC WTC 2025-27 cycle Rankings
Sri Lanka’s fight ensures that they hold onto their place in the #WTC27 standings đź‘Š
More ➡️ https://t.co/Ag5irO9kgu pic.twitter.com/vPpFPQi4Xf
— ICC (@ICC) August 27, 2026
Australia
Tests: 10, W-L-D: 8-2-0, Pct 80.00
Remaining series: vs SA (a), vs NZ (h), vs Ind (a) – 12 Tests
Australia’s dominant two-day win against Bangladesh in Mackay pushed their percentage up to 80. In their 12 remaining fixtures, they need 63 more points to finish with 60%, thus requiring them to win five matches and draw one at the very least. However, Australia would look to go to The Oval with much more than 60%, given their flying form at the moment. If they succeed in winning six matches, their percentage will go up to 68.63%, and seven wins with five losses will leave them at 68.18%, assuming that they aren’t docked any points.
The Kangaroos have far to go, with only 4 of the 12 Tests at home (against New Zealand) and the rest 8 being tough overseas assignments (three in South Africa and five in India), where they have won only two of their last 12 Tests. Though comfortably placed at the moment, the Australian contingent has much to do if they are to lock one slot in the final round.
South Africa
Tests: 4, W-L-D: 3-1-0, Pct 75.00
Remaining series: vs Aus (h), vs Ban (h), vs Eng (h), vs SL (a) – 10 Tests
South Africa played all their three away series in the subcontinent- in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka – and performed exceptionally well in each, drawing 1-1 with Pakistan, and shocking India with a 2-0 whitewash. The Proteas Men now have the luxury of playing eight of their ten remaining Tests on home soil. However, three of those remaining Tests are against table-toppers Australia.
South Africa need 65 more points to reach the 60% mark, which they can be achieved via five wins and a couple of draws. If SA win six of their matches with four losses, they would achieve a respectable 64.28%, while a 7-3 output will plant them solidly at 71.43, ensuring near-certain qualification.
New Zealand
Tests: 6, W-L-D: 4-1-1, Pct 72.22
Remaining series: vs Ind (h), vs Aus (a), vs SL (h), vs Pak (a) – 10 Tests
New Zealand are currently sitting pretty comfortably at number three in the WTC standings after a series win against West Indies at home, and defeating England in England. Among their remaining fixtures, however, is a tough four-match series against Australia. The Kiwis need 64 more points (out of the 120 points on offer) to achieve 60%, which they can get with five wins and a draw. Four of those victories could come on home soil if they win all their Tests against India and Sri Lanka. To lock their slot in the final, however, the Black Caps will need more than wins in their home games though. With six wins and four losses, they will finish on 64.58%, while a ratio of 7-3 will leave them on 70.83%.
Bangladesh
Tests: 6, W-L-D: 3-2-1, Pct 55.56
Remaining series: vs WI (h), vs SA (a), vs Eng (h) – 6 Tests
Despite facing a defeat in Mackay, Bangladesh can still reach the 60% mark, which could keep them in contention for a top two finish. Wins in each of their four remaining home Tests (out of the six remaining fixtures) against West Indies and England, will help Bangladesh garner 47 more points. One additional win will shoot their percentage up to 69.44, which will give them a solid chance to qualify. The key for the Bangladeshi Tigers in this duration, though, will be to ensure that they capitalise on the returns from their home matches.
India
Tests: 11, W-L-D: 5-4-2, Pct 51.52
Remaining series: vs NZ (a), vs Aus (h) – 7 Tests
India needs at least five wins and a draw from their remaining seven fixtures t0 qualify for the final round of the WTC at The Oval. The inability to eke out a victory at Colombo against Sri Lanka in the second Test made India lose out on 12 points, cementing their drop to 51.52%. To reach 60%, the Men in Blue need 62 more points from the remaining seven matches.
However, depending on the results, even that may not be sufficient. India have very little margin for error in this cycle, seeing as in the last cycle, the finalists – South Africa and Australia – finished with 69.44 and 67.54 respectively. Five wins and two losses will leave India at 59.3%, while a ratio of six wins and one loss will see them finish on 64.8%. If India manage to win all seven of their matches, they will finish at 70.37%.
Sri Lanka
Tests: 6, W-L-D: 1-2-3, Pct 33.33
Remaining series: vs Pak (a), vs NZ (a), vs SA (h) – 6 Tests
After having played six Tests, Sri Lanka have only 24 points to their name. The Lankan Lions have much to do during the second half of their campaign, requiring 63 points from their remaining six Tests to reach the qualification mark of 60%. This would account to five wins and a draw at the very least. Six wins will take them to 66.67%, which has started to look a little unlikely, since two of those Tests are in New Zealand early next year.
England
Tests: 14, W-L-D: 5-8-1, Pct 29.76
Remaining series: vs Pak (h), vs SA (a), vs Ban (a) – 7 Tests
England seem to be having a nightmare run during this cycle of the World Test Championship, with a 5-8 win-loss record and slow over rates holding them hostage at 14 points so far. This means that they can only reach 50 points instead of 64 from five wins and a draw. Assuming that they don’t get any further penalty points, even a flawless run of seven victories out of seven Tests will leave England at 53.17%, which is highly unlikely to be enough for a spot in the final. It could be possible that England don’t play a final happening on their home soil.
West Indies
Tests: 12, W-L-D: 2-8-2, Pct 20.83
Remaining series: vs Ban (a) – 2 Tests
With just two Tests remaining, the best West Indies can finish on is 32.14%, which leaves them highly unlikely for a spot in the final.
Pakistan
Tests: 7, W-L-D: 2-5-0, Pct 19.05
Remaining series: vs Eng (a), vs SL (h), vs NZ (h) – 6 Tests
Pakistan too have not had a great campaign. Two wins, five losses, and eight penalty points have caused Pakistan to languish ninth on the WTC points table. Even if they win all six of the remaining matches, Pakistan will finish at 56.41%, which leaves them out of the contention of a spot in the final round.
Also Read: ENG vs PAK: Ollie Robinson’s Fiery 4-Wicket Haul Ruins Pakistan