DHAKA, Jan 8, 2025 (BSS)- For the first time in their World Test Championship
(WTC) history, Bangladesh avoided the ignominy of sitting at bottom table in
the point table.

The WTC which was introduced in 2019, is at its third cycle with the first
two cycles finishing on 2019-2021 and 2021-2023. In both cycles, Bangladesh
finished at bottom table.

But it is now confirmed that they would not finish at bottom table in 2023-
2025. In fact it was confirmed following Pakistan's five-point penalty by the
ICC.

Bangladesh produced some magical performances in the current cycle, having
won a historic 2-0 away series win in Pakistan and 1-1 away to the West
Indies. Overall Bangladesh won four and lost eight in 12 Tests in this cycle.
It's also the first time that they won more than one match in a cycle of WTC.
 
Currently, Bangladesh sit in seventh position on the nine-team table with
31.25 percentage points. Pakistan are eighth with 24.31 percentage points and
West Indies ninth with 24.24 percentage points. Bangladesh have no more
matches left in this cycle (2023-25).

Pakistan were slashed match fees and also deducted World Test Championship
points for failing to meet the minimum quota of overs in the allotted time
during the second Test in Cape Town, an ICC press release said recently.
 
Pakistan players have been fined 25 percent of their match fee owing to a
slow-over rate from the recently concluded second Test against South Africa
in Newlands, Cape Town.

Furthermore, five World Test Championships points have been deducted from the
team's account after they were ruled to be five overs short of the mark with
time allowances taken into consideration.

Pakistan and West Indies both have two Tests left in this cycle, against each
other, starting in Pakistan later this month. But whatever the outcome of the
series, it is confirmed that Bangladesh can't be relegated below the eighth
place. Either Pakistan or West Indies will suffer the ignominy of being the
worst Test side this cycle.