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Babar, Rachin, Ibrahim (Image Credit: Twitter)
In the ongoing last week of the league of the ODI World Cup 2023, three teams have qualified for the semifinal. The knockouts will be played on November 15 and 16 (semifinals) and November 19 (final). Teams such as India, South Africa, and Australia have reached the semis. Given the permutations, the Men In Blue are set to play on November 15 (the first semifinal against fourth-placed team).
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After all, they are sitting pretty at 16 points and no other team can overtake them. On the other hand, with Australia's memorable win against Afghanistan, they are set to play against the Proteas on November 16. Meanwhile, at this point, three teams, New Zealand, Pakistan, or Afghanistan can qualify for the last spot in the semis.
Scenarios for fourth semifinal spot of the ongoing ODI World Cup
- Pakistan
The 1992 winners have played eight games, won four, and lost as many. Against Bangladesh, they managed to improve their NRR from negative figures to positive. Meanwhile, apart from winning against England, they also either need Sri Lanka to beat New Zealand or the Blackcaps to win by one run against the Lankan Lions. Also, they need to win by either 130 runs or chase a target in just 29 overs.
2. New Zealand
The two-time World Cup finalists have a much superior NRR (0.398) compared to Pakistan (0.036). If NZ wins by a huge margin against Sri Lanka, it will make a stiff task for the 1992 winners. They only need the match against the 1996 winners not to be impacted by rain or get a result in their favor even if the game is decided by DLS.
3. Afghanistan
Had they won against Australia (having reduced the Kangaroos to 91/7, defending 292 runs), they would needed only to win against the Proteas to qualify for the semis. Had they done it, NZ and PAK would have been ruled out. However, as the Afghans have lost against Aus, they need to win against the Proteas (by big margin if needed). Also, they need Sri Lanka to beat New Zealand (or the game gets washed out due to rain) and England beat Pakistan to qualify for the semis.