World Cup 2019: How Pakistan will not qualify for the semi-finals even after winning remaining two matches

The ongoing World Cup is at its peak at the moment with the three semi-final spots still up for grabs. England losing to Sri Lanka and Australia has opened up the tournament completely even as Pakistan has also upped their game at the right time. As things stand, Australia have sealed their place in the top four while New Zealand and India also look the favourites to make it through.

Most probably, there will be a tussle for the fourth place between England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan, The Men in Green have come back strongly after losing to India on June 16. They first defeated South Africa comfortably and then Babar Azam led the 238-run tricky chase in Birmingham the other day for Pakistan to keep them alive. They still need to win both their remaining matches and hope for a couple of results to go their way to qualify for the semi-finals.

Pakistan to face Afghanistan and Bangladesh

The first and foremost thing needs to do is to beat Afghanistan and Bangladesh to even stand a chance of making it to the top four. Interestingly, Sarfaraz Ahmed and his men have the easiest of fixtures when compared to the other teams fighting. While England have India and New Zealand to face, Bangladesh should beat India at any cost to make their match against Pakistan a do or die encounter.

New Zealand are also not through to the semis despite having 11 points to their name. Their loss against Pakistan has put them in a bit of spot as the Kiwis should win one of the two matches to confirm their qualification. However, even if they don’t win, the Black Caps can go through with a few of their results going their way.

Meanwhile, with all the focus on Pakistan replicating their 1992 World Cup, there is still a possibility that they may not qualify despite winning both their remaining matches. Rather there are multiple scenarios of that happening and Pakistan will need a fair share of luck to play a knockout game in Birmingham or Manchester.

Here’s how Pakistan will get knocked out despite winning both their matches:

Pre-Requisite:

Pakistan needs to win both their remaining matches against Afghanistan and Bangladesh

Scenario 1

England win both their remaining matches.

India win two of their remaining matches.

New Zealand win one of their last two matches.

In this case, England will end up with 12 points while India and New Zealand will get to 13 points and these three teams along with Australia will fight it out for the glory. Pakistan will be knocked out with 11 points to their name.

Scenario 2

Sri Lanka win their remaining three matches.

India win two of their remaining matches.

New Zealand win one of their last two matches.

England lose both their matches.

In this case, Sri Lanka will end up with 12 points and India and New Zealand will have 13 points to their name. These three teams will go ahead while Pakistan will fall agonisingly short.