ICC World Cup 2023 Qualification Scenarios: How can Pakistan qualify for semi final after victory over Bangladesh?

Pakistan ended their four-match losing streak in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 as they beat Bangladesh by seven wickets on Tuesday, October 31 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Following their emphatic win, Pakistan climbed to the fifth spot on the points table with three wins from seven matches having six points to their name.

The Babar Azam-led side are still in the semi-finals race, however, they have several hurdles to pass before they seal their spot in the top four on the points table. They will have to win both of their remaining fixtures against New Zealand and England to finish on ten points and hope that Australia and New Zealand lose all of their remaining games to clear their path to the semi-final. Furthermore, they will also have to wish that Afghanistan wins only one out of their three remaining fixtures i.e. the game against Australia.

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In such a scenario, New Zealand, Australia and Afghanistan will finish on eight points each while Pakistan will sail through to the semis with ten points. However, the journey is going to be a tough one for the 1992 champions as Australia (on 4^th spot with 8 points) have their remaining games against England, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Hence, the five-time champions will fancy themselves to beat at least Bangladesh and Afghanistan to easily finish on 12 points and qualify for the semis.

On the other hand, New Zealand (on 3^rd spot with 8 points) have their remaining fixtures against South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Pakistan will have to give their all to beat the Kiwis by as big a margin as possible and further hope that they face at least one more heavy defeat. If all goes well for the Men in Green, they can topple the Kiwis with a better run rate despite both teams finishing with ten points.

Another team which can pose a threat to Pakistan is Afghanistan, who’re on the sixth spot on the points table with six points from as many matches. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side has their remaining fixtures against Netherlands, Australia and South Africa.

Afghanistan can close the doors for Pakistan's qualification

For things to work in their favour, Pakistan need Afghanistan to continue their sensational form and beat Australia but lose their other two fixtures to finish on eight points. If somehow, Afghanistan manage to win two out of the remaining three matches, then Pakistan will have to surpass their net run rate to make a strong case for their semi-final qualification.

Also Check: ODI World Cup 2023 Points Table

However, if Afghanistan manage to win all of their remaining games and finish on 12 points then all the doors of Pakistan’s qualification will be closed. Hence, the Babar Azam-led side’s fate is pinned on several external factors but first they will have to win all of their remaining games for them to come into effect.