ICC Men's Cricket Worldcup : 2023

 

ICC Men Cricket World Cup Latest

Pakistan's win revitalized their chances for a spot in the semis but marked the end of the road for Bangladesh. With 14 matches remaining in the league stage, the competition is heating up. Pakistan's triumph, coupled with NZ's two consecutive defeats and Australia's resurgence, has intensified the competition in the top half of the points table as the tournament approaches its critical phase. It's becoming increasingly evident that India and South Africa will almost certainly go through to the semi-finals. Pakistan's seven-wicket win in the ICC World Cup on Tuesday kept their hopes of semi-finals alive, but the result made the losing team Bangladesh the first to be eliminated from the tournament.

It was the 31st match of the round-robin phase, which now has 14 matches left before the four semi-finalists are decided for the knockout stage. With Pakistan's win, New Zealand's two-match losing run and Australia's comeback, the top half of the points table is getting tighter as the tournament moves closer to the home straight. At this stage, the two teams that are almost certain to make it to the last-four are India and South Africa.

Here's a look at which team stands where in the race to the semi-finals (listed in the order of their position on the points table):

INDIA

Position: No. 1

Win/loss record: 6-0

Points: 12

Net Run Rate: +1.405

Matches left: vs Sri Lanka, South Africa and Netherlands

Seven wins in round-robin games guarantee a place in the semi-finals, which leaves the hosts India with just one win away from booking a confirmed seat in the semi-finals. However, even in the scenario of three defeats in their remaining league fixtures, India are more or less certain to remain in the top four.

SOUTH AFRICA

Position: No. 2

Win/loss record: 5-1

Points: 10

Net Run Rate: +2.032

Matches left: vs New Zealand, India and Afghanistan

South Africa's only defeat was an upset loss to the Netherlands, but their dominant show, especially with the bat, has ensured big wins in five matches, boosting their net run rate, which is the best so far.

The Proteas ideally need two more wins to breathe easy, but have challenging matches against New Zealand and India coming up. However, if they lose those two games by small margins and beat Afghanistan, they are most likely to go through to the semis as they have a healthy net run rate.

NEW ZEALAND

Position: No. 3

Win/loss record: 4-2

Points: 8

Net Run Rate: +1.232

Matches left: vs South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

The Kiwis are at least two wins short of a place in the semi-finals, and have challenging last three matches coming up. However, looking at their form, barring the defeat against India, they have remained competitive and look determined to punch their ticket to the semis. But if they lose one or two of their next three matches by big margins, it can become touch and go for the Kiwis.

AUSTRALIA

Position: No. 4

Win/loss record: 4-2

Points: 8

Net Run Rate: +0.970

Matches left: vs England, Afghanistan, Bangladesh

The Australians, who have lifted the ODI World Cup trophy five times, seem to have peaked at the right time after a horrendous start that saw them losing their first two matches. They too are in search of ideally two more wins at least but on form look firm favourites for the semi-finals, with matches left against the hapless England, Afghanistan and the eliminated Bangladesh.

PAKISTAN

Position: No. 5

Win/loss record: 3-4

Points: 6

Net Run Rate: -0.024

Matches left: vs New Zealand, England