ICC World Test Championship points table (updated) as on January 6 after SA vs PAK 2nd Test

World Test Championship (WTC) finalists South Africa ended their current cycle on a high by defeating Pakistan by 10 wickets in the second Test in Cape Town. The Proteas secured the series by a 2-0 margin, and extended their lead at the top of the standings, ahead of their highly anticipated title clash against Australia in June.

The Proteas had to be patient for the win after Pakistan responded with a fightback in their second innings. Temba Bavuma enforced the follow-on as the Men in Green were bundled out for 194 in the first innings against South Africa's colossal 615-run effort while batting first.

Ahead of the contest, South Africa had a win percentage of 66.67, on the back of their 2-0 series win over Sri Lanka. Following the win in Cape Town, which confirms their second consecutive whitewash at home, the figure has risen to 69.44, well above second-placed Australia's 63.73. It is to be noted that the Men in Yellow have a two-match series against Sri Lanka, away from home, in hand.

The Proteas played 12 matches in the entire cycle, losing thrice in total. It includes a defeat against India in Cape Town, along with a series whitewash at the hands of New Zealand.

Pakistan, on the other hand, slumped to the eighth spot after the loss in the Boxing Day Test with a win percentage of 30.30. Their record now worsens to 27.78 after the clean sweep at the hands of the Proteas.

The Shan Masood-led side have only won four matches in the cycle so far, a phase which has witnessed whitewashes against Australia, Bangladesh, and South Africa.

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South Africa's next red-ball contest will be the WTC Final, while Pakistan face

Despite some nervy moments in the series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, South Africa achieved what they set out to do. With four wins on the trot, they were able to race past Australia and India to be the first WTC 2023-25 finalist. With their red-ball duties coming to an end for the moment, their next clash will be the all-important final at the Lord's in June 2025.

Pakistan, on the other hand, will face the West Indies at home in a two-match Test series next. The series opener is scheduled to begin from January 17 onwards in Multan. With only a marginal figure separating them at the bottom of the WTC standings, the losing side will likely end up with the wooden spoon.