Afghanistan defeated Pakistan for the first time in ODI cricket during ICC World Cup 2023, where they emerged as the dark horses. They also defeated defending world champions England and now eyeing their maiden playoff spot in any ICC event.
Pakistan on the other side clinched a miraculous 21-run victory (DLS method) against New Zealand, reigniting their bid for the ICC World Cup 2023 semi-finals. However, the road ahead is a complex interplay of factors and along with New Zealand Afghanistan can be a major hurdle for Pakistan.
Pakistan faces a high-stakes showdown against England on November 11 in Kolkata. Yet, destiny might unfold even before this pivotal encounter. Their fate intertwines with two crucial teams – Afghanistan and New Zealand.
Afghanistan’s Uphill Battle
Afghanistan faces a daunting challenge, going head-to-head with formidable foes Australia and South Africa on November 7 and November 10 respectively. Victory in both matches would catapult them directly into the semi-finals with a commanding 12 points, edging out both New Zealand and Pakistan.
The clash with New Zealand is the linchpin for Pakistan’s advancement. Both teams have one final match left, but the Black Caps hold a pivotal advantage in net run rate (NRR). Their face off with a struggling Sri Lankan side on November 9 in Bengaluru carries high stakes.
Qualification Scenario of Pakistan
– If New Zealand triumphs over Sri Lanka by 50 runs, Pakistan’s path to the semis demands a colossal 180-run victory against England.
– Should New Zealand clinch victory by a solitary run, Pakistan must secure a 131-run triumph against England.
– A victory for Sri Lanka against New Zealand would simplify Pakistan’s quest; a win over England would seal their spot in the semis.
It’s important to note that these scenarios for the qualification of Pakistan hinge on the performance of Afghanistan in their remaining matches.
Pakistan’s best scenario to qualify for the semis is:
Pakistan beat England
Sri Lanka beat New Zealand
AFG lose one game & their NRR stay lowIf it's a tie on NRR with NZ
Pakistan will need to beat England by approx. 130 runs (that's assuming NZ beat SL by 1 run).
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) November 4, 2023
India and South Africa have already booked their spots in the semi-finals, showcasing stellar performances. Meanwhile, Australia, perched at third place with 10 points, is poised to clinch their spot in the knockout stage. With clashes against Afghanistan and Bangladesh, a single victory would solidify their advancement.
The race to the World Cup 2023 semi-finals has evolved into a thrilling saga, replete with nail-biting encounters and high-stakes showdowns. As the tournament hurtles towards its climax, each match holds the power to reshape destinies and etch new legends in cricketing lore.
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