New Delhi: New Zealand has bolstered its chances of reaching the World Cup 2023 semi-finals with a surprising five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the 41st match. This outcome has left the Pakistan team in shock, as had New Zealand lost, Pakistan could have secured a semi-final spot by winning its last league match against England. However, with this win, New Zealand has amassed 10 points in 9 matches, placing them close to securing a semi-final berth. Although the doors aren't entirely closed for Pakistan, they now face a daunting task against England, requiring an extraordinary performance to enter the top 4. The Pakistan vs England match is scheduled at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Saturday (November 11).
As of now, New Zealand occupies the fourth position in the points table with 10 points in 9 matches and a net run rate of +0.743. Pakistan, with 8 points and a +0.036 net run rate from 8 matches, is in fifth place. Afghanistan shares a similar position as Pakistan, but their dismal net run rate of -0.338 makes their semi-final prospects highly unlikely.
Pakistan's Qualifying Equation:
With New Zealand's fifth win in the World Cup 2023, Pakistan's semi-final aspirations are nearly extinguished. However, a glimmer of hope remains for them if they can secure a comprehensive victory over the defending champions, England. If England wins the toss and chooses to bat first, Pakistan's chances of reaching the semi-finals are almost extinguished.
If Pakistan bats first, they must set a target of at least 350-plus and then defeat England by 287 runs. Alternatively, if Pakistan bowls first, they must chase down the target set by England with 284 balls remaining, equivalent to achieving the target in just 16 balls (2.4 overs), a nearly impossible feat. Despite the challenging scenario, if Pakistan accomplishes this extraordinary task, they could qualify for the semi-finals with a superior run rate compared to New Zealand.
Teams Already in the Semi-finals:
Rohit Sharma-led Team India has secured a spot in the semi-finals by winning eight consecutive matches. South Africa has also qualified with 12 points, while Australia advanced by defeating Afghanistan. The second semi-final is set between Australia and South Africa, with a potential clash between India and New Zealand in the first semi-final.
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