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Who Will Secure the Last Two Cricket World Cup Semifinal Spots?
- India and South Africa Secure Semifinal Berths, Intense Qualification Battle Ensues
- India and South Africa Already Through, Remaining Teams Battling for Qualification
ICC World Cup 2023 : As the Cricket World Cup’s round-robin group stage approaches its final week, Team India and South Africa have clinched their spots in the semifinals, scheduled for November 15 and 16.
In a dominant display, India’s resounding 243-run victory over South Africa not only confirmed their position at the top of the points table but also solidified their status as tournament favorites. Alongside India, South Africa, despite their defeat against the two-time champions, have also sealed their place in the knockout stage. Additionally, Australia stands on the verge of securing their spot.
Unfortunately, defending champions England have suffered a series of ignominious defeats, resulting in their early elimination from contention and relegation to the last spot.
Bangladesh
Tragically, Bangladesh’s campaign, overshadowed by controversial selection decisions and public controversies, has once again concluded without their qualification for the knockout stage. Likewise, the Netherlands, known for their surprise performances in major tournaments, find their hopes hanging by a thread with five defeats and a mere four points. They must achieve big-margin victories in their remaining matches against England and favorites India, while hoping that all teams above them experience losses.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s performance has been inconsistent, with two wins and six losses. Even if the 1996 champions manage to win their last matche against New Zealand, they will need to significantly improve their net run rate to enhance their chances of qualifying.
This leaves us with four teams realistically vying for the two remaining spots. Let’s take a closer look at their journey towards the latter stages of the group stage and what they must do to secure qualification:
ICC World Cup 2023 : Semi Final Race
Australia – Points: 10, Net run rate: 0.924
Remaining Fixtures: Afghanistan (November 7), Bangladesh (November 11)
ICC World Cup 2023 : The five-time champions, currently placed third with 10 points, need to win at least one of their two remaining matches to extend their record of qualifying for the eighth Cricket World Cup semifinal. If Australia emerges victorious in both matches with substantial margins, they could potentially surpass South Africa on net run rate or points if the Proteas stumble in their final match against Afghanistan. Even if they lose both fixtures, their superior net run rate increases their chances of qualification among the mid-table teams.
New Zealand – Points: 8, Net run rate: 0.398
Remaining Fixture: Sri Lanka (November 9)
ICC World Cup 2023 : New Zealand began their campaign with a remarkable victory over England and were projected as strong contenders. However, four subsequent losses have placed them in fourth position. The 2019 finalists find themselves in a three-way tussle with Pakistan and Afghanistan, benefiting from a superior net run rate among the three teams. To secure their spot, Kane Williamson’s men must triumph in their final group match against Sri Lanka while hoping that Afghanistan loses at least one of their remaining fixtures. Even in the event of a loss against Sri Lanka, a minor impact on their net rate could keep their hopes alive, provided Pakistan and Afghanistan do not secure any further wins.
Pakistan – Points: 8, Net run rate: 0.036
Remaining Fixture: England (November 11)
ICC World Cup 2023 : Pakistan’s late resurgence has once again placed them in contention with two consecutive wins and a crucial match against the tournament’s bottom-placed team yet to be played. Their qualification for the semifinals depends on various factors – not only results of other matches but also the margin of those results.
How Can Pakistan Reach To semi Final?
To keep their chances alive, Babar Azam’s men must defeat England while hoping that New Zealand and Afghanistan fail to secure victories. A loss against England would almost certainly eliminate Pakistan. Alternatively, they can also qualify based on net run rate if specific conditions are met, such as a narrow win for New Zealand against Sri Lanka and Pakistan winning by a margin of 130 runs or more against England.
Afghanistan – Points: 8, Net run rate: -0.330
Remaining Fixtures: Australia (November 7), South Africa (November 10)
ICC World Cup 2023 : Of the three teams with eight points each, Afghanistan holds a significant advantage with two matches in hand. Two victories in these matches would effortlessly secure their place in the semifinals. However, facing formidable opponents, Afghanistan’s path is not without challenges, risking elimination with a loss against either Australia or South Africa. If Hashmatullah Shahidi’s team secures a single victory and finishes with 10 points, they can qualify if Sri Lanka defeats New Zealand and England prevails against Pakistan. Otherwise, their inferior net run rate could result in their exclusion, despite being tied on points with other teams.
Conclusion
ICC World Cup 2023 : By the conclusion of the group stage, the race for the last two Cricket World Cup semifinal spots promises intense competition. The teams mentioned above must navigate their remaining fixtures skillfully to outshine their rivals and secure their passage to the highly coveted semifinals.
Points Table Ref Cricbuzz