India will most likely play face New Zealand in the first semi-final of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday (November 15). However, if Pakistan does a Pakistan, then they will face India at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata in the semis. Rohit Sharma & Co have been assured of the top spot with eight wins in the tournament. South Africa and Australia are the other two teams to book a place in the semis.
However, for the spot, three teams are still in contention. Apart from Pakistan and New Zealand, Afghanistan also has a chance to make it to the top four. Among these three teams, New Zealand’s net run rate is the strongest. They are also placed fourth on the points table with 8 points. Pakistan and Afghanistan follow them in the fifth and sixth spots respectively.
The equation is simple for all three teams to win their last matches and hope the other results go their way. So Who do New Zealand, Pakistan, and Afghanistan play tier last matches? Let’s have a look.
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World Cup Semis qualification scenarios
New Zealand: Matches left 1
New Zealand will take on Sri Lanka tomorrow in Bengaluru. The equation is pretty simple for the Kiwis win the match and go through the semi-final. However, if the Williamson-led side loses the game, they would be hoping Pakistan and Afghanistan lose their games.
Pakistan: Matches left 1
Pakistan will take on England in their last match on Saturday. England are already out of the WC, but they have a golden chance to play spoilsport and also not finish at the bottom of the WC points table. Pakistan need to beat England and also by a huge margin to go past New Zealand’s strong net run rate.
Afghanistan: Matches left 1
After a gut-wrenching loss to Australia, Afghanistan play South Africa in their last group-stage match on Friday. The Afghans have to beat the mighty Proteas and also hope NZ and PAK lose their matches.
India Vs NZ Semis:
- NZ defeat SL.
- Eng lose by <130 runs Vs Pak.
India Vs Pak Semis:
- Pak defeat Eng.
- SL beat NZ or a washout.
OR - Beat England by at least 130 runs.
India Vs Afg Semis:
- Afg beat SA.
- SL beat NZ.
- Eng beat Pak.