WATCH: Wasim Akram suggests Pakistan's intriguing route to qualify for semi-finals of 2023 ODI World Cup

Pakistan and Afghanistan's hopes of playing the semi-final of the 2023 ODI World Cup have almost ended. Both were rooting for their Asian rivals Sri Lanka on Thursday, but Kane Williamson and his team easily grabbed a five-wicket victory at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. New Zealand pocketed 10 points and more importantly, they boosted their net run rate (NRR) to virtually knock the other two teams out of the tournament.

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With an NRR of +0.036, Pakistan are currently fifth in the points table. They will now have to defeat defending champions England by an unthinkable margin at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on November 11. If we take a detailed look at Pakistan's chances, they need to beat England by 287 runs if they bat first. And the scenario looks more complicated if they field first. The Men in Green need to bowl out England for 50 runs and chase down the target in just 2 overs. 

While these circumstances leave Pakistan mathematically alive in the tournament, former Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram suggested a hilarious way for his country to qualify for the semi-finals. The legendary pacer came up with the idea during a discussion on Pakistani news channel A Sports.

Go and lock the dressing room of the England team: Akram 

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As the host of the show, Fakhar-e-Alam, said, Akram suggested that Babar Azam and Co. should score as many runs as possible and then lock England's dressing room and get all their players 'timed out'. His comments came days after Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews became the first international player to be timed out in the match against Bangladesh.

“Make whatever score that is possible and then go and lock the dressing room of the England team for 20 minutes so that all their batters get timed out," Alam revealed. 

Watch the video below: 

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How can Pakistan still qualify for the semi-finals? @wasimakramlive has a hilarious idea.#ASportsHD #ARYZAP #CWC23 #ThePavilion #WasimAkram #MoinKhan #FakhreAlam #MisbahulHaq #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/iaCH6CSZSa

— ASports (@asportstvpk) November 9, 2023

Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who was also part of the panel, suggested another hilarious idea for the 1992 champions. "Allow England to bat first and lock up the dressing room after that. Why let them put up a total at all!," the 49-year-old said. Akram and the program host could not stop laughing at Misbah's idea. 

Pakistan started their World Cup campaign with two straight wins but then suffered back-to-back defeats that put their chances in jeopardy. Pakistan, however, have qualified for the 2025 Champions Trophy and will now aim to end the World Cup on a high note when they lock horns against England.