What role can Pakistan play in supporting India's aspirations for the WTC Final?

Australia is scheduled to tour Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series in January, while India's concluding match in the 2023–25 cycle is the ongoing series against Australia. Concurrently, South Africa will host Pakistan for a two-match Test series to conclude their campaign. Shan Masood's squad will face Temba Bavuma's team in Centurion from December 26 to 30, followed by a match in Cape Town from January 3 to 7.

Even if India secures victories in all three Test matches against Australia, they will not surpass South Africa in the standings if South Africa wins both of their matches. Nevertheless, the team led by Rohit Sharma would be assured of finishing ahead of Australia and securing a place in the final if this unlikely scenario occurs.

Conversely, should the defending champions win both matches in Sri Lanka, India would rank below Australia even if they manage to win two out of three matches in their series. In this case, the two-time runners-up would need South Africa to either draw or lose both of their matches against Pakistan to finish ahead of South Africa.