For the next cycle, it is learnt that the ICC is planning an overhaul of the test structure. There will be more countries in the second division (currently there are three - Ireland, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan), and somewhere around 6-7 teams in the first division (at the moment there are nine). If they perform well, then it maybe possible for Pakistan to avoid relegation to the second division of test cricket.
Am one of the supporters of this two division test format where we will most probably get to see more entertaining matches and less boring, one sided matches. West Indies should enter the second division.
Bangladesh and Pakistan might end up there too looking at their test performances in recent years. Let's see what happens.