ODI World Cup 2023: Here's how India and Pakistan can face off in the semi-finals

The ICC World Cup 2023 is inching closer to a potential India versus Pakistan clash as the tournament reaches its crucial stage. India and South Africa have already secured their spots in the semi-finals, occupying the top two positions in the points table. Australia, on the other hand, are yet to guarantee their semi-final berth but have two opportunities to do so, facing Afghanistan and Bangladesh in their upcoming matches. A victory in either match will ensure Australia finish in the top three during the league stage.

The intense battle for the fourth and final semi-final spot features three contenders: New Zealand, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Sri Lanka and the Netherlands, while still mathematically in the running, face highly improbable odds. The fourth-placed team will go on to face India in the semi-finals, raising the tantalizing possibility of an India versus Pakistan showdown in this high-stakes tournament.

In one potential scenario, if New Zealand lose to Sri Lanka and Pakistan defeat England, Pakistan would move to ten points, surpassing New Zealand's eight points. To further solidify their position, Pakistan would also need Australia and South Africa to prevail against Afghanistan, preventing them from reaching the ten-point mark. This scenario intensifies the competition for that coveted fourth spot and adds to the anticipation of a potential India vs. Pakistan encounter.

Scenario 2

In the event that New Zealand secure a victory against Sri Lanka and Pakistan win over England, while both Afghanistan's matches end in defeat, the competition for the fourth semi-final spot will be determined by the net run rate between Pakistan and New Zealand. To overtake New Zealand's net run rate, Pakistan must calculate the margin of victory against England. However, if Afghanistan manage to win at least one of their remaining two matches, they would reach ten points. Despite this, their negative net run rate (-0.330) currently place them third in the race for the fourth spot, based on net run rate.

Scenario 3

Should rain disrupt New Zealand's final match against Sri Lanka, and Pakistan secure a victory over England, both teams will reach ten points. Additionally, if Afghanistan register a single win, they will also attain ten points. In such a scenario, the net run rate (NRR) will be the determining factor for the semi-final qualifiers. However, if rain affects both Pakistan and New Zealand's last matches, New Zealand would advance to the semi-finals due to their superior NRR.