Historic win lifts Tigers’ WTC hopes

Bangladesh have gained a massive boost in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings following their historic first-ever Test win in Australia today in the ongoing two-match series.

Bangladesh’s position in the standings remains unchanged at No. 4, but their nine-wicket thumping of Australia in Darwin saw their points percentage (PCT) surge from 58.33 to 66.67. It was their third victory in five matches in the current cycle.

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Meanwhile, former champions Australia saw their superior PCT lead shrink from 87.50 to 77.77, leaving them only marginally ahead of second-placed defending champions South Africa (75.00). Inaugural WTC winners New Zealand are third with a 72.22 PCT after six matches.

Following Bangladesh are India (48.15) and Sri Lanka (41.67), who are currently playing the first match of a two-Test series in Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh have seven Tests remaining in this cycle, four of them at home. They will host West Indies and England in two-match series each.

The other three away Tests are the second match of the ongoing Australia tour in Mackay, followed by a two-Test series against South Africa.

Considering how Najmul Hossain Shanto’s team have performed so far in this cycle – with a better win ratio than in any of the previous three cycles – Bangladesh can be optimistic about improving their position further. In fact, they possess an outside chance to even make it to next year’s final at The Oval, especially with most of their remaining matches to be played at home.

TIGERS’ REMAINING WTC FIXTURES

22 Aug, 2026

Australia (Mackay)

Oct-Nov 2026

West Indies tour of Bangladesh

Matches: 2 Tests

Nov-Dec 2026

Bangladesh tour of South Africa

Matches: 2 Tests

February 2027

England tour of Bangladesh

Matches: 2 Tests

REST OF THE TEAMS’ REMAINING MATCHES

Australia: 13

South Africa: 10

India: 9 (including ongoing Galle Test)

New Zealand: 8

Sri Lanka: 8 (including ongoing Galle Test)

England: 8

Pakistan: 7

West Indies: 2 (eliminated)

BANGLADESH WTC RECORDS

2019-21 cycle: 7 matches, 0 wins, 1 draw, 6 defeats

2021-23 cycle: 12 matches, 1 win, 1 draw, 10 defeats

2023-25 cycle: 12 matches, 4 wins, 8 defeats

2025-27 cycle: 5 matches, 3 wins, 1 defeat, 1 draw