Revealed: How can Sri Lanka qualify for WTC 2025 final after 2-0 win over New Zealand

Sri Lanka National Cricket Team scripted history as they defeated New Zealand for the first time in 15 years in Test cricket. The Dhananjaya de Silva-led side won the two-match Test series by the margin of 2-0 as they were all over the Kiwis with bat and ball in the two games.

The two-match Test series win over New Zealand has provided Sri Lanka with a massive chance to qualify for the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. Winning two matches against Kiwis took the Island Nation to the points table with a PCT of 55.56 and are behind Australia’s 62.5.

Qualification scenario for Sri Lanka for the ICC World Test Championship final

Sri Lanka have become one of the favorites to qualify for the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 after a win over New Zealand. To make it into the top two spots, they need to go above at least one of India and Australia. There are chances that they might pip the Pat Cummins-led side.

They have four games remaining in the current cycle of the ongoing World Test Championship. They will play two games against the Proteas in South Africa in November-December 2024 and, after that, will be hosting the Australia National Cricket Team in the two games in January-February 2025.

In the first scenario, if they beat South Africa 2-0 and after that they will defeat Australia by the same margin, they will go to 69.23. This makes them a sure pick for the final of the World Test Championship. They will then be facing either India or Australia, depending on the result of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

But if Sri Lanka draw the Test series in South Africa and win 2-0 against Australia, they will finish on 61.54. If they beat Proteas by 1-0, they will reach 64.10 and will be at 56.41 if they lose 0-1. However, if they lose 0-2, not only will they come down to 53.85 but South Africa will jump to 54.17.

If the Test between Sri Lanka and South Africa ends 1-1, the Island Nation will reach to 61.54. But other teams, too, would be posing a challenge. If the ongoing India vs Bangladesh Test gets washed out and if they beat New Zealand 3-0, the Rohit Sharma-led side will reach to 75 PCT.

But if they lose to Australia by the margin of 4-1, they will finish ahead of both India and Australia, who will be tied on 60.53 each. On the other hand, if South Africa beats both Bangladesh and Pakistan 2-0, they will go to 61.11, and it will see Dhananjaya de Silva's team and Proteas taking each other in the final.

But this will only be possible if Australia beat India 4-1. If Australia win 4-0, they will reach 62.28. If they win 3-1, India will go to 62.28. However, in both cases, Sri Lanka will qualify. The Dhananjaya de Silva-led side would be keen to make a massive impact in South Africa as it will almost put them in the final.