World Cup 2023 semi-finals Qualification Scenario: Pakistan face near-impossible task vs England

New Zealand all but ended Pakistan an Afghanistan’s hopes of making the semi-finals of World Cup 2023 after their resounding win over.

Sri Lanka in their final league game in Bengaluru on Thursday, November 9. New Zealand hammered Sri Lanka by 5 wickets, chasing down 172 in just 23.2 overs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to boost their Net Run Rate to +0.743.

New Zealand took their tally to 10 points in 9 matches, 2 more than Afghanistan and Pakistan who have a game in hand. It was also their 8th successive win for New Zealand over Sri Lanka as they all but sealed their spot in the semi-finals for the 4th successive time in ODI World Cups.

India, Australia and South Africa have already booked their place in the World Cup semi-finals.

However, Pakistan have at least got a mathematical chance to make the semi-finals by leapfrogging New Zealand in the points table while the chances look very bleak for Afghanistan.

WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL QUALIFICATION SCENARIO
REMAINING FIXTURES

Afghanistan vs South Africa in Ahmedabad on Friday, November 10
Pakistan vs England in Kolkata on Saturday, November 11
How can Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals?

If Pakistan bats first and scores 300, they need to restrict England to 13. They need to maintain a margin of 287 runs if they score more than 300 runs in Kolkata.

If Pakistan bowls first. their chances look very bleak. Even if they shoot out England for 100, they need to chase down the total in 2.5 overs, meaning win with 283 balls to spare.

Afghanistan face a more difficult task as their defeat to Australia saw them lose the opportunity to have destiny in their own hands. Afghanistan had Australia reeling at 92 for 7 after posting 291 in Mumbai on Tuesday. However, a sensational Glenn Maxwell 201 not out helped Australia pull off an improbable victory and book their place in the semi-finals.