Here's how England's incredible win against Pakistan at Rawalpindi has helped India for WTC 2023 final

England thrashed Pakistan by 74 runs in the final hour of the fifth day on Monday at the Rawalpindi stadium, recording one of the finest victories in test cricket. And the world saw another step taken by English skipper Ben Stokes with the "bazball" theory.

It started with a bold declaration made on fourth day and forcing for the result. England backed its bowlers to dismiss Pakistan on the pitch, which didn't offer anything to spinners or pacers. But in the end, the brave decision ended in their favor.

From 258/5, Pakistan lost their last five wickets for just 10 runs and got dismissed for 268 runs. For England, Ollie Robinson and James Anderson picked up four wickets each in the second innings. With this win, the visitors have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series.

But this win has also given the Indian team an edge in the ongoing World Test Championship 2021-23. It has helped Team India inch closer to featuring in the WTC final, which will take place in June 2023 in England itself.

Ahead of the first test, Pakistan was scheduled to play five home tests against England and New Zealand. They were fifth before this game, and a win in the first test would have boosted their chances of playing in the final. But now, Australia and India are among the front-runners, along with South Africa.

Notably, India is scheduled to play two Tests in Bangladesh this month, and if they win both games, they will have a one-loss cushion in the four-match test series against Australia at home.

On the other hand, Australia won the first tests against the West Indies, and if they can whitewash them and win two tests against South Africa in a three-match series at home, then they will surely make it to the WTC final.

However, Babar Azam and his men are still in fifth place on the WTC table, but if India and Australia both win their series, it will mean Pakistan will miss the chance to play in the final.