In their most recent league match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets, raising doubts over Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the semi-finals of the current ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Notably, in order to facilitate their own situation, Pakistan fervently desired that New Zealand lose against Sri Lanka. But the weather forecast and Sri Lanka were of no assistance to the Kiwis, who reached ten points and increased their net run rate by chasing down the goal of 172 in 23.2 overs.
Pakistan’s aspirations were dashed when Sri Lanka was reduced to 128/9 after 32.1 overs in the first innings alone. But Maheesh Theekshana (38* off91) and Dilshan Madushanka (19 off48) put on a heroic 43-run partnership for the final wicket to enable their team surpass the 170-run threshold. Rachin Ravindra (42 off 34), Devon Conway (45 off 42), and Daryl Mitchell (43 off 31) all made significant contributions in the second innings as New Zealand easily defeated the Lankan Lions.
After New Zealand convincing victory, Pakistan will have a difficult time making it to the semi-finals.
England and the Babar Azam-led team will square off in their last league match on Saturday, November 11 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Pakistan must defeat England by 287 runs if they bat first, or they must bowl first and dismiss England for 50 runs in order to chase the mark in two overs or 100 runs in three overs, according to the official website of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Similar circumstances beset Pakistan during the 2019 World Cup.
Given that England is also entering the game after defeating the Netherlands by 160 runs, all of these seem extremely unlikely. Remarkably, the Men in Green had to overcome Bangladesh by more than 300 runs in their final league game to go to the 2019 World Cup, but they prevailed by 94 runs instead.
As a result, New Zealand appears certain to place among the top four, and on November 15 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, they will play India in the first semi-final. However, it has been announced that South Africa and Australia would play each other in the second semi-final on November 16 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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