ODI World Cup 2023: Here’s how Pakistan can qualify for the semi-finals – View details

New Zealand’s victory over Sri Lanka in Bengaluru has almost wiped out Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the semi-finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup

New Delhi: Babar Azam-led Pakistan have an extremely tough road ahead of them for semi-final qualification after New Zealand’s five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. The Men in Green are set to face England in their final league match and will need to deliver a lifetime performance against the defending champions to improve the Kiwis’ run rate and make it into the top four.

Pakistan are keen to bat first in this crucial match and need to maintain a winning margin of at least 287 runs. So if Babar and company score 300 runs, they will have to bowl out England by just 13 runs. The road will become impossible if they are forced to bowl first because even if their deadly bowling attack knocks out England by 100 runs, they will have to chase it down in just 2.5 overs.

New Zealand’s five-wicket win over Sri Lanka with a whopping 160 balls to spare has lifted their Net Run Rate (NRR) to +0.743 and all but assured them a spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

New Zealand have all but sealed their place in the World Cup semi-finals, joining India, South Africa and Australia after a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Bengaluru on Thursday.

New Zealand’s emphatic win over Sri Lanka means the format of the event’s semi-final could only change if something dramatic happens.

India is confident of finishing first in the points table, along with South Africa and Australia, second and third respectively, and will compete in the semi-finals on November 16 at Eden Gardens. Calcutta.

The Black Caps’ victory over Sri Lanka means they finish in fourth place and are the most likely opponents for India, although Pakistan still have an outside chance of claiming the final spot in the knockout stages with a big win over England in their final group match.