Pakistan’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 campaign thus far has an uncanny resemblance to the 1992 edition, which the Green Shirts won. The Sarfaraz Ahmed-led side is still in contention for a place in the CWC 2019 semi-finals. However, they will have to bank on other results to take them through. Pakistan, as of now, are placed on fifth spot with four wins from eight matches and have nine points against their name. CWC 2019 Semi-Finals Predictions: Probable ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Semi-Finalists, These Four Teams Will Finish on Top of Points Table.
Pakistan have one match remaining against Bangladesh and they need to win that first. Thus far Pakistan defeated England, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan. Their game against Sri Lanka was washed-out and both the teams were awarded a point each.
Defending champions Australia is the only team to have qualified for the semi-finals and three places are still up for grabs. However, India is almost certain to take one of those spots. So, virtually only two spots are left. Meanwhile, let’s take a look at scenarios for Pakistan to qualify for semi-finals. CWC 2019 Semi-Finals Scenarios: Here’s How Three Teams Out of Pakistan, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and India Can Qualify for World Cup 2019 Semis.
Semi-finals Scenario 1 for Pakistan
This is a pretty simple scenario for Pakistan to qualify for the last four. Pakistan will, however, bank on the England vs New Zealand result. To help increase Pakistan’s chances, New Zealand must beat England irrespective of any margin. New Zealand’s victory would mean England will remain on ten points. And then Pakistan will have to beat Bangladesh to qualify with 11 points. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 – Points Table.
Semi-finals Scenario 2 for Pakistan
This is a bit complicated one! In case England beat New Zealand and Pakistan beat Bangladesh, then both Green Shirts and Blackcaps will remain on 11 points. In this case, the semi-finalist will be decided by virtue of a better Net Run Rate (NRR). At the moment, NRR is in favour of New Zealand. To tilt it in Pakistan’s favour, England must beat New Zealand by a big margin and then 1992 Champions will have to beat Bangladesh by a bigger margin as well.
Semi-finals Scenario 3 for Pakistan
This is probably the unlikeliest of the scenarios and involves India. This scenario will come into play if India loses their remaining two matches against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The two defeats will hamper India’s NRR and then if Pakistan beat Bangladesh, both the rivals will stay on 11 points and the team with better run rate will advance to semis.
In case the England vs New Zealand match is washed-out, both the teams will receive a point each and qualify for the semis. New Zealand will end up with 12 points while hosts England with 11 points. Even if Pakistan beat Bangladesh, it is impossible for them to outplay England on the basis of NRR as it is much better than even New Zealand.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 01, 2019 08:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).