South Africa They consolidated their position at the top of the World Test Championship points table (WTC points table) with a landslide victory over Pakistan in the second Test. The Proteas inflicted Pakistan by 10 wickets in the final match of the series, played at Newlands, Cape Town.
After a poor show in the first innings, Pakistan performed well with the bat in the second innings. However, South Africa eventually overcame Pakistan's resistance on the fourth day of the Test and swept the two-match series.
South Africa put themselves in the driver's seat by posting a huge total of 615 runs in the first innings. Opening batsman Ryan Rickleton shone with the bat, scoring 259 runs while captain Temba Bavuma and keeper-batsman Kyle Vereen also scored centuries.
In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for a total of 194 runs. Except for Babar Azam (58), no other Pakistani batsman has been able to reach the 50-run mark in an innings. For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada took 2 wickets while debutant Koena Mafaka and Keshav Maharaj took 2 wickets each.
When asked to follow on, Pakistan produced a good performance in the second half. Captain Shan Masood and Babar Azam shared a huge 205-run stand for the first wicket. However, once the stand was broken after Babar was dismissed for 81, Pakistan continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.
They were eventually bowled out for 478 runs. Masoud was the top scorer for the Pakistan national team by scoring 145 points. Rabada and Maharaj picked up 3 wickets each in the innings.
Setting a target of 58 runs, the South Africans crossed the finish line in just 7.1 overs. David Bedingham, promoted to open the innings, smashed 44 off just 30 balls to ensure the Proteas got home without any fuss.
ICC WTC points table updated after the 2nd SA vs PAK Test:
The stunning win in Cape Town confirmed South Africa's place at the top of the World Trade Center points table. While a win in the first test booked their place in the WTC final, the latest win ensured they would head into the final as top of the WTC points table.
Defending champion South Africa will face Australia in the decisive match for the title. Although Australia will play two more Tests in the current session, they cannot displace South Africa from the top spot. South Africa received a score of 69.44, while Australia came in second place with a score of 63.73.
Meanwhile, Pakistan ranks eighth in the World Trade Center points table with a points percentage of 27.78. Pakistan will also play two more Tests in the current session and will look to improve their position in the table.
Here is the updated WTC points table after the second SA vs. PAK test:
| Points of sale | a team | Matches | beat | lost | Drawn | N.R | points | Patent Cooperation Treaty |
| 1 | South Africa | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 100 | 69.44 |
| 2 | Australia | 17 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 130 | 63.73 |
| 3 | India | 19 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 114 | 50 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 81 | 48.21 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 45.45 |
| 6 | England | 22 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 114 | 43.18 |
| 7 | Bangladesh | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 31.25 |
| 8 | Pakistan | 12 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 27.78 |
| 9 | West Indies | 11 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 32 | 24.24 |