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Babar Azam's Pakistan Qualified For 2023 World Cup Semi-Final? Check All Details Here

image-lok3ggulFakhar Zaman smashing a one-handed six (AP Photos)

The semi-final race in World Cup 2023 is heating up big time, and, with Pakistan registering a memorable win, courtesy of a DLS method by 21 runs, things have got even spicier now. Pakistan, with this win over New Zealand, have moved to their fifth spot, and though New Zealand are still placed fourth, they have moved to a tricky position with four consecutive losses. 

New Zealand would be devastated with this loss as they posted a mammoth 401 on the board, but Fakhar Zaman's blistering hundred spoiled their party as rain also provided some help with timely intervention.

India and South Africa are the only team that have qualified for the semis now, and with two spots still open, the race is getting quite intense.

New Zealand's net run-rate is +0.398 while Pakistan's net run-rate is +.036 while Afghan's net run-rate is on the negative side which can be crucial in the end with Australia looking quite well-placed to seal the third semi-final spot. Realistically, only the final spot seems to be open and it is a three-way battle between Pakistan-New Zealand-Afghanistan.


Here are qualification scenarios for Pakistan

  • Pakistan need to win against England and hope that New Zealand and Afghanistan lose their last league games. Pakistan with a win in their final league game will reach 10 points while Kiwis and Afghans will be stuck at 8 points. This will enable Pakistan to qualify at the number 4 spot even if Australia win all of their remaining three games.
  • If New Zealand and Afghanistan win their last game against Sri Lanka and Australia respectively, they will also reach 10 points and then the qualification will come down to the net run-rate where Pakistan would need to overcome New Zealand's net run-rate.
  • If Pakistan lose their final league game against England, then they would need both New Zealand and Afghanistan to lose their final game and hope that they lose by big margin which will ensure that they go ahead into the semis on the basis of superior net run-rate.

Australia would most likely seal the third spot as they have three games in their hand, including the England one while the likes of Sri lanka and Netherlands have a very slim mathematical chance.