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What's happening on the WTC 2025-27 points table: India to face Sri Lanka in 2nd Test; Pakistan hit rock bottom after defeat against England

Pakistan's crushing defeat to England in the first Test at Headingley has pushed them to the bottom of the World Test Championship 2025-27 table, while India prepare for the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo with a chance to climb further.

By Tertius News AI Desk 1 outlet · 1 article Version 1 Coverage Aug 22, 2026 Published 1d ago

Pakistan's slump deepens at Headingley

Pakistan's struggles in the World Test Championship 2025-27 continued as they suffered a heavy defeat against England in the first Test at Headingley, losing by an innings and 103 runs. The Salman Agha-led side were bowled out for 171 in their first innings, before England piled up 409 to establish a commanding lead. Pakistan's second innings collapsed for just 135, with Jofra Archer striking early before Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson tore through the batting order.

The defeat was Pakistan's sixth loss of the ongoing WTC cycle, leaving them at the bottom of the standings with a points percentage of 14.28%, placing them ninth. England, meanwhile, moved to 29.76% after their dominant victory, although they remain seventh in the table.

According to Indiatimes, England's win at Headingley extended their winning streak to seven consecutive Tests at the venue. Joe Root started his second stint as England's full-time Test captain with a win, following Ben Stokes's retirement from international duty and Brendon McCullum's departure as red-ball coach.

India's opportunity in Colombo

While Pakistan's fortunes sank in England, India will return to action in Colombo on Sunday with a chance to strengthen their position after opening their Sri Lanka series with a win. The second Test between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin on August 23 at 10:00 AM IST.

India won the opening Test in Galle by 165 runs, powered by Manav Suthar's 10-wicket haul and Devdutt Padikkal's scores of 167 and 44. According to Indiatimes, India may change their playing XI for the second Test, with Kuldeep Yadav possibly making way for Saransh Jain.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have added Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige to their squad for the second Test, with Arachchige replacing Ramesh Mendis.

WTC 2025-27 points table

The latest results have left the championship table taking shape, with Australia continuing to lead with a points percentage of 77.78%, having won seven of their nine Tests. South Africa and New Zealand occupy second and third place respectively, while Bangladesh sit fourth. India are fifth with a PCT of 53.33%, while Sri Lanka are sixth on 33.33%. West Indies sit eighth.

India's fifth-place position reflects their series win over Sri Lanka, while Pakistan's tumble to ninth is the result of their sixth defeat of the cycle. The race is beginning to take shape, as reported by Indiatimes.

Looking ahead

The result at Headingley gave Joe Root an ideal start to his captaincy stint and marked the beginning of a new era for England. For Pakistan, the defeat leaves them with a mountain to climb in the WTC 2025-27 cycle, with their points percentage now the lowest among the nine teams listed.

How this outlet told it

Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC

Framing: Emphasizes Pakistan's 'rock bottom' after defeat and India's upcoming 2nd Test, framing the story around India's momentum and Pakistan's struggles. It omits other absent, upcoming series. — Descriptive, with a slight tone of disappointment for Pakistan ('crushing defeat') and optimism for India ('Momentum' with 'Gill's side have an opportunity').

Facts Included:

Pakistan suffered a crushing defeat against England in the first Test at Headingley, losing by an innings and 103 runs.
Pakistan has a PCT of 14.28%, placing them ninth in the WTC 2025-27 standings.
England moved to 29.76% PCT, remaining seventh.
Australia lead the WTC table with a 77.78% PCT, having won seven of nine Tests.
South Africa and New Zealand occupy second and third respectively, Bangladesh fourth, India fifth with 53.33%, Sri Lanka sixth with 33.33%, West Indies eighth.
India face Sri Lanka in the second Test in Colombo on August 23 at 10:00 AM IST.
India won the opening Test in Galle by 165 runs, powered by Manav Suthar's 10-wicket haul and Devdutt Padikkal's scores of 167 and 44.
India may change their XI, with Kuldeep Yadav possibly replaced by Saransh Jain.
Sri Lanka added Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige to their squad, with Arachchige replacing Ramesh Mendis.
England's victory at Headingley extended their winning streak to seven consecutive Tests at the venue.
Joe Root started his second stint as England's full-time Test captain with a win.
Ben Stokes retired from international duty and Brendon McCullum departed as red-ball coach.
Pakistan's first innings score was 171, England's 409, and Pakistan were dismissed for 135 in the second innings.
Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue, and Ollie Robinson each claimed three wickets in Pakistan's second innings.
Pakistan's defeat was their sixth loss of the ongoing WTC cycle.
The result gave Joe Root an ideal start to his captaincy stint and marked the beginning of a new era for England.

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What was claimed, and who backed it

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Claim	Confidence	Status
ClaimPakistan were defeated by England in the first Test at Headingley, losing by an innings and 103 runs.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimPakistan's PCT is 14.28%, placing them ninth in the WTC 2025-27 standings.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimEngland moved to 29.76% PCT in the WTC 2025-27 standings, remaining seventh.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimAustralia lead the WTC 2025-27 table with a PCT of 77.78%, having won seven of their nine Tests.	ConfidenceMedium	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimSouth Africa and New Zealand occupy second and third place in the WTC 2025-27 standings.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimBangladesh are fourth in the WTC 2025-27 standings.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimIndia are fifth in the WTC 2025-27 standings with a PCT of 53.33%.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimSri Lanka are sixth in the WTC 2025-27 standings.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimWest Indies are eighth in the WTC 2025-27 standings.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimThe second Test between India and Sri Lanka will begin in Colombo on August 23.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimThe second Test between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM IST.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimIndia won the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle by an innings and 103 runs.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimIndia's victory in the first Test was powered by Manav Suthar's 10-wicket haul.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimDevdutt Padikkal scored 167 and 44 in the first Test against Sri Lanka.	ConfidenceMedium	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimIndia could make a change to their playing XI, with Kuldeep Yadav possibly making way for Saransh Jain.	ConfidenceMedium	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimSri Lanka added Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige to their squad for the second Test, with Arachchige replacing Ramesh Mendis.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimJofra Archer, Ollie Robinson, and another England bowler each took three wickets in Pakistan's second innings.	ConfidenceLow	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimPakistan's defeat was their sixth loss of the ongoing WTC cycle.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimJoe Root's century in the first innings helped England set a target.	ConfidenceMedium	StatusSingle-source via Indiatimes as of Aug 22, 2026, 10:15 PM UTC
ClaimBangladesh beat Australia by nine wickets in Darwin recently.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via The Nation (Pakistan ) as of Aug 24, 2026, 1:17 PM UTC
ClaimNew Zealand recently won a 2-1 Test series against England.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via The Nation (Pakistan ) as of Aug 24, 2026, 1:17 PM UTC
ClaimAustralia lost the June 2025 WTC final to South Africa.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via The Nation (Pakistan ) as of Aug 24, 2026, 1:17 PM UTC
ClaimNew Zealand have not won a Test series against Australia since 1990.	ConfidenceHigh	StatusSingle-source via The Nation (Pakistan ) as of Aug 24, 2026, 1:17 PM UTC

Transparency & Audit Trail

1 outlet · 1 article consulted: Indiatimes 23 claims extracted Version 1 Written 2026-08-24