India team was the first side to secure a place in the semifinal match during the world cup 2023 played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 2nd. On 5 November, they registered a 243-run victory over South Africa at the legendary Eden Gardens in Kolkata and kept up with the streak undefeated run in that tournament.
Hosts India will finish at the top position with 16 points from eight matches even when they lose their remaining league matches for the 2023 world cup points table. According to the tournament’s schedule, first semi-final match will be played between number one and four teams on 15-th of November.
In addition to India, South Africa and Australia are guaranteed at least a podium finish. This would mean that New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only ones in competition for the position one. 4th place (although the Netherlands had a mere mathematical possibility).
The best-case scenario for Pakistan clinching fourth place in the 2023 World Cup standings is a win in their last league game and defeats for New Zealand and Afghanistan in their respective fixtures.
Pakistan, New Zealand, and Afghanistan have each accumulated eight points from eight matches. If Babar Azam’s team beats England in Kolkata on November 11 and New Zealand and Afghanistan lose their final league games against Sri Lanka (November 9) and South Africa (November 10), respectively, Pakistan would face India in the semi-finals. In this case, Pakistan would have 10 points, while New Zealand and Afghanistan would have eight apiece.
On the other side, if Pakistan loses against England, New Zealand and Afghanistan must also lose their matches. In this situation, however, the Kiwis stand a higher chance of winning because to their exceptional net run rate (+0.398). In comparison, Pakistan currently has a run rate of +0.036 and Afghanistan has a run rate of -0.338.
India and Pakistan’s thrilling semi-final encounter in World Cup 2011
In fact, the previous time the ICC tournament was hosted in India, arch-rivals India and Pakistan clashed in the second semi-final of the 2011 ODI World Cup. The Men in Blue triumphed by 29 runs in Mohali.
Batting first, the hosts posted 260/9, with Sachin Tendulkar top-scoring with 85 off 115 balls. Pakistan were all out for 231 in 49.5 overs, with five Indian bowlers each taking two wickets.
