We are in the last week of the league phase matches of the Cricket World Cup. With every team having left with one match in the league phase, the way the competition has turned out to be is really exciting. With Australia and India already qualified, there are three nations New Zealand, England and Pakistan competing for the last two spots of the semi-finals.
There were a lot of abandoned games due to rains at the start of the tournament. As a result, the race to the semi-finals has become more intense at the end of every single match. Australia, the defending champions, became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals. With 7 wins in eight games, Australia currently is the table toppers.
After a victory against Bangladesh in yesterday’s encounter, India became the second team to qualify for the semi-finals. With just a single point gap between India (13) and Australia (14), the table-topper will be decided in this final round. Among the remaining teams, Afghanistan, South Africa, West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are already eliminated from the semi-finals race. Hence, we are down to three teams (New Zealand, England, and Pakistan) for the remaining two semi-final spots.
Note: The number of wins in the league phase will be considered before the NRR if two teams end up equal on the points table and competing for the top 4 spots. If the teams are with an equal number of points and win, then Net Run Rate (NRR) will be considered.
#1 New Zealand (11 points)
A win against England in their final league match will seal the semi-final spot for New Zealand. However, they can reach the semis even if they lose to England. In that case, Pakistan must lose their match against Bangladesh. As a result, New Zealand will go through with 11 points. In the worst-case scenario, Pakistan and New Zealand can be leveled on 11 points if Pakistan wins their final league match. In this scenario, the NRR factor will declare the qualifying team as both teams will have an equal number of wins.
#2 England (10 points)
England must defeat New Zealand in their final league match to ensure smooth sailing to the semis.
If England fails to win against New Zealand, then Bangladesh must win against Pakistan. In this case, England will go through with just 10 points.
#3 Pakistan (9 points)
Pakistan hoped that India would beat England. But as it did not happen their qualification conditions have become more complicated. First, Pakistan must primarily win their final league match against Bangladesh.
Next, they must pray for England to lose against New Zealand. If England wins their match, then Pakistan and New Zealand will be leveled on 11 points. In this case, the qualifying team will be declared based on NRR since both teams will have an equal number of wins.
