Thursday, 09 November 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
New Zealand is all set to clash with Sri Lanka in the 41st league match out of the 45 league matches to be played in the World Cup 2023. This match to be played in Bengaluru is crucial for New Zealand as it must win to qualify for the semi-final. Three teams have already qualified for the semi-finals: India, South Africa and Australia. However, rain may prove spoilsport for this match with 90 per cent possibility of rain, Notably, England, Sri Lanka, Netherlands and Bangladesh have already bowed out of the international cricket tournament while New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan are in the race for the fourth berth in the semi-final. In terms of points, New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan have eight points each and in terms of net run rate, New Zealand is ahead of the other two. New Zealand is going to play its last league match against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru which is uncertain due to the looming rain threat. While Pakistan and England are to clash in Kolkata, South Africa and Afghanistan are to clash in Ahmadabad.
Now the interesting question is: will Pakistan have an outside chance of entering the semi -final stage? As things stand now on the points table, if all the three teams-Pakistan, New Zealand and Afghanistan- win their last matches then run rate will decide which of the three teams will get the fourth semi final berth. If the Sri Lanka-New Zealand match is washed out due to rain both the teams would be given one point each. If this happens, then Pakistan and Afghanistan must win their last league matches and the team with better run rate will enter the semi final. Significantly, Pakistan is currently ahead of Afghanistan on the points table.
