New Delhi: In what could be a historic first-ever World Test Championship final between the two bitter rivals, India and Pakistan have made significant progress. Okay, it's a little bit unrealistic given that the WTC's third cycle just got underway and the final is still two years away.

One shouldn't be criticized for dreaming big, though, given the kind of head start India and Pakistan have gained thanks to their series victories over the West Indies and Sri Lanka, respectively, as well as the severe sanctions the ICC imposed on England and Australia.

Due to England's slow over rate and Australia's slow over rate during the recently concluded Ashes series, which resulted in a thrilling 2-2 tie, the International Cricket Council docked both teams 10 points. In the fifth Test, England was penalized five points for the over-rate offense; in the fourth Test, three; in the second Test, nine; and in the first Test, two. This indicates that during the Ashes, the Ben Stokes-led team only once met the over-rate criteria.

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As their over-rate was acceptable in four of the five Tests, Australia has performed marginally better in that regard. However, they paid a high price in the case where it wasn't. Due to being 10 overs short in the fourth Test, which resulted in a draw due to multiple rain interruptions, Pat Cummins and company were penalized 10 WTC points.

According to the new ICC rules, a team loses a WTC point for each over they are found to be under the proposed over-rate, accounting for any delays that may have occurred.

Pakistan and India extend their gap at the top of the #WTC25 standings following #Ashes sanctions to England and Australia.

Details ????https://t.co/CzS2406RJ0

— ICC (@ICC) August 3, 2023

Slow over-rate proved costly for both England and Australia in the Men's Ashes series.

More ???? https://t.co/zoEil4lVQk pic.twitter.com/L6FuS8wN6l

— ICC (@ICC) August 3, 2023

Australia and England finished the five-match Ashes series with exactly the same number of points (28) but are now at opposite ends of the WTC points chart. Australia's percentage of points (PCT) is 30 after the 10-point reduction. In the most recent WTC points table, they are ranked third.

England is currently ranked No. 5 in the points table, even behind West Indies, who have yet to win a Test match in this WTC, despite having lost 19 points and having a PCT of only 15.

The ICC's over-rate sanctions against England and Australia have put the two leading contenders on the back foot even though New Zealand, South Africa, and Bangladesh have yet to play in this World Cup.

But this won't bother Pakistan and India in the slightest. Following their comprehensive victory over Sri Lanka, Pakistan has a 100% point percentage to start the 2023–25 season. Following a closely contested first Test, Babar Azam's team dominated the hosts with a commanding innings victory.

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India, who has a win and a draw to their name after their series against West Indies, is right behind them in second place with 66.66%. India established the tone with a significant innings victory in the first Test, but rain derailed their plans for a clean sweep in the second Test, which resulted in a tie.

Fans of England and Australia, it should go without saying, were not too pleased with the ICC's harsh penalties. Usman Khawaja, the Australian opener, actually criticized the ICC's decision on social media.

"Don't even get the chance to bowl in the second innings at Manchester due to 2 days of rain and @ICC still issue fines and take 10 WTC points of us for slow over rates! That makes a lot of sense...," tweeted Khawaja.

England and Australia both had 26 points and a point percentage of 43.33 prior to the sanctions. After the penalties, England fell to 15% and Australia to 30%, dropping them below West Indies at 16.67%.

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