Kohli, Babar, Rohit, Rauf To Clash Again? Here's IND vs PAK World Cup Semi-Final Scenario

Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Afridi looking at big screen (AP Photos)

On Tuesday, Glenn Maxwell’s sumptuous knock against Afghanistan helped Australia become the third team to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2023. The five-time champions joined India and South Africa, who had been in astonishing form since the beginning of the tournament and reaped rewards before their success.

As a result, only one semi-final spot is now up for grabs, with New Zealand, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and even mathematically the Netherlands vying for it.

With just six games remaining, it is understandable why the competition's level of intensity has reached an entirely new level at this point in time.

Nevertheless, it is practically the desire of every cricket fan to witness India versus Pakistan in the ongoing edition yet again. The match between the game's fiercest rivals was a one-sided spectacle in Ahmedabad earlier, but if they face off again in the knockout stages, who knows? Maybe things will get more interesting and exciting.

Let us first make one thing clear before we proceed. With eight wins from eight games, the Men in Blue, captained by Rohit Sharma, lead the points table with sixteen points. Taking second place is South Africa with 12 points, followed by Australia with 12 points. 

Other than the Netherlands and England, who will play later on Wednesday (November 8), no other team, not even Pakistan, can match South Africa's and Australia's points tally as they only have eight or fewer points in their bag.

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Therefore, under the tournament's rules (1 vs. 4, 2 vs. 3), even if Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Afridi among others qualify to clash with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, they can only meet in the semi-final, not the final.

According to the ICC and BCCI's earlier announcements, Eden Gardens will host the semi-final instead of Wankhede Stadium if it occurs between these two Asian contingents.

IND vs PAK World Cup 2023 Semi-Final, How?

Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma (AP Photos)

First and foremost, all supporters of Pakistan will want to see Sri Lanka triumph over New Zealand in the competition's 41st match in Bengaluru. This will keep Kane Williamson and Co. at eight points, and should the Lankans' lead grow, the Men in Green could surpass them based on a higher NRR. Additionally, Pakistan will gladly accept even if rain plays spoilsport in Bengaluru and calls off the game.

Right, so in Match 42 in Ahmedabad, Afghanistan will take on South Africa in an attempt to salvage their tenuous semi-final hopes. Afghanistan's remarkable journey will come to an end if South Africa win this battle. These two outcomes will enable the Men in Green to take control of their own destiny.

The match between England and Pakistan in Match 44 at Eden Gardens will undoubtedly become the most anticipated of the season if the aforementioned scenarios come to pass. Who would not want to see the ultimate box office fixture appear out of nowhere, after all?

Above all, however, Pakistan's pursuit under Babar Azam will never materialize until they defeat the reigning champions in this match.

Grab some popcorn and get ready for another India vs. Pakistan match if all of these turn into reality.

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