The race for the WTC final is heating up with only 19 Tests remaining to determine the two finalists that will face off at The Oval, London next year. As many as five teams are still in contention while England, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and West Indies have been knocked out.

Updated WTC 2025-27 points table

WTC final qualification scenarios for each team

New Zealand

Current PCT - 72.22
Maximum PCT - 89.58
Remaining Series - 2 Tests vs IND (home), 4 Tests vs AUS (away), 2 Tests vs SL (home), 2 Tests vs PAK (away)

The inaugural World Test champions have won four of their six matches in this cycle, including a series win in England. They currently sit at the top of the table but have a tough schedule ahead, with six Tests away from home, four of which will be in Australia, where they last won a Test in 2011. They are set to face India next in a two-match series at home, which can go either way.

To secure a points percentage of 60, NZ need 63 more points (five wins and a draw), with six wins taking them to 64.58. Even if they manage to clean sweep India and Sri Lanka at home, New Zealand have to win at least one Test in Australia and Pakistan to have a shot at reaching the final.

South Africa

Current PCT - 71.43
Maximum PCT - 85.71
Remaining Series - 2 Tests vs BAN (home), 3 Tests vs ENG (home), 2 Tests vs SL (away)

South Africa showed the world that their WTC final win over Australia wasn't a fluke after smashing them 2-1 at home in the recently concluded series. On the back of it, they have put themselves in a strong position in the WTC final race.

The defending WTC champions need 41 more points to get to a PCT of 60. Four wins out of the remaining seven Tests will take them to 64.28, and given their remaining fixtures, it should not be too hard. The Proteas are set to play five Tests at home, two against Bangladesh, followed by three versus England.

Australia

Current PCT - 69.23
Maximum PCT - 82.90
Remaining Series - 4 Tests vs NZ (home), 5 Tests vs India (away)

Australia have slipped to third place after losing the series in South Africa but their road to the final could get tricky with five Tests in India yet to come. They need 51 more points to finish with a PCT of 60, which converts to four wins and a draw. The four-match home series against New Zealand offers them a great chance to get closer to that mark, having historically dominated their Trans-Tasman rivals.

However, they must win or draw at least one Test in India to remain in contention. Considering the fact that they have won only two out of their last 15 Tests in India, it could prove to be a daunting task to reach the PCT of 65.

India

Current PCT - 51.52
Maximum PCT - 70.17
Remaining Series- 2 Tests vs NZ (away), 5 Tests vs AUS (home)

India can not afford to make many mistakes if they are to reach the WTC final. They have seven matches left: two against New Zealand away from home and five at home against Australia. To reach a PCT of 60, India need 61 more points, which roughly translates to five wins and a draw.

The two-match series in New Zealand could be a tough challenge as most of their batters have not played in those conditions. Their recent home record has also been shaky, having lost two series against New Zealand (0-3) and South Africa (0-2), which makes the five-match series against an opponent like Australia a tricky business.

Bangladesh

Current PCT - 45.83
Maximum PCT - 63.88
Remaining Series - 2 Tests vs SA (away), 2 Tests vs ENG (home)

After losing 1-0 to West Indies at home, Bangladesh find themselves in a tough spot. They can reach a PCT of 63.88 if they win all four of their remaining Tests but it is easier said than done. Two of those games are away in South Africa, a team they have never beaten in the longer format.

Then they will have to face England at home, who have beaten them on their own soil in all of the last four Tests.