Mercurial Pakistan cricket team is once again living up to its expectation. At one stage of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 (CWC 2019), the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led side was in danger of not qualifying for the semi-final. However, following their back to back wins against South Africa and New Zealand. And a few other results going their way, the team is moving in the right direction to qualify for the last four. In fact, there is a possibility of traditional-rivals India and Pakistan facing each other in semis as well. Pakistan Hands Over a Shocking Defeat to New Zealand in ICC CWC 2019; Cricket World Cup Draws Spooky Parallels Between CWC 2019 & 1992.

As per the CWC 2019 format, top four teams after the round-robin stage will face-off in the semi-finals. The top-ranked team on the CWC 2019 points table will meet the fourth-placed side in the first semi-final. And second and third-placed teams will face-off in the second semi-final.

Pakistan Semi Final Scenario

To make India vs Pakistan happen again in the CWC 2019, the Green Shirts will have to qualify for the semi-final first. Pakistan have two matches remaining and they need to win both these matches and then hope England and Sri Lanka lose one match each. Babar Azam Becomes First Pakistan Batsman to Score Century in CWC 2019, Helps PAK Beat New Zealand.

Pakistan are currently on the sixth spot with seven points and the wins in remaining matches will take them to 11 points. For the uninitiated, Pakistan takes on Afghanistan and Bangladesh next. Pakistan is most likely to finish fourth on the CWC 2019 team standings.

India to Finish as Table Toppers?

Given the way India have performed thus far, the Virat Kohli led-side is likely to finish on top of the points table. The Men in Blue are unbeaten thus far in the round-robin stage and could well top the points table with 17 points. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 – Points Table.

India, if they lose one of their remaining matches, can then finish second on the points table. Pakistan, on the other hand, is unlikely to finish third on the points table. So, for India vs Pakistan to become a possibility, India must finish on top of the points table and Pakistan on fourth.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2019 07:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).