Team
ICC men’s Cricket World Cup is moving towards its last phase. Every team has played eight matches out of there nine group matches. The top four teams in the group stage will qualify for the semi finals of the mega event. India, Australia and South Africa have already qualified for the semi-finals, filling three spots out of four.
India with eight wins in eight matches are at top of the points table with sixteen points, while South Africa is at the second position and Australia holds third position on the points table with twelve points each. A better run rate keeps Proteas ahead of Australia.
It gets very interesting when it comes for the last and fourth spot to be filled in the semi-finals. Pakistan, New Zealand and Afghanistan, all three teams have eight points and care contenders to qualify for the semi-finals. Afghanistan with a negative run rate has very little chances to qualify.
New Zealand will play their last group match against Sri Lanka on Thursday. If New Zealand wins the match by one run, Pakistan has to beat England by 130 runs to qualify for semi-finals. On paper it seems like New Zealand will qualify for the knock out stage.
The good news for Pakistan is that, in the match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, 96% rain chances are predicted. If the game is washed out and the points are equally distributed to both teams Pakistan will fancy their chances. Pakistan will just have to beat England ion Saturday not worrying about run rate.
Sri Lanka currently stands at ninth position on points table. Sri Lanka will also give there 100% to be in the top eight. As the top eight teams will play ICC champions trophy in 2025 which is going to be held in Pakistan.
Pakistan is one unpredictable cricket team. No one knows when it will rise a strong unit out of nowhere. Pakistan have been in these situations many times before. Pakistani fans and cricket lovers are expecting for a miracle to happen that the team qualifies for the semi-finals.
If Pakistan qualifies for the semi-final, they will face India in Kolkata on 16th of November. Australia and South Africa will play the second semi-final on 17th November.
The final of the ICC men’s Cricket World Cup will be played in Narinder Modi Stadium Ahmedabad on November 19th.
