New Zealand primed to face India in World Cup semifinals, Pakistan left with a humongous task | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: New Zealand all but secured the remaining semifinal spot with their five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in their last league match of the World Cup in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Ending their four-match losing streak, the Kiwis showcased a dominating performance by chasing down their 172-run target with a whopping 160 balls to spare that helped them boost their net run rate significantly.

This victory propelled New Zealand to 10 points, becoming the fourth team to seal the last semi-final spot in all probability, alongside India, South Africa, and Australia.

India lead the table with 16 points from their unbeaten streak of eight matches, while South Africa are No. 2 with 12 points and Australia placed third with 12 points as well but behind the Proteas on net run rate (NRR).
New Zealand’s victory left both Pakistan and Afghanistan needing improbable victory margins in their last matches against England and South Africa respectively to have any chance of making the final four.

Both the teams have eight points from 8 matches but Pakistan are ahead of Afghanistan to sit in fifth place by virtue of better NRR.
What Pakistan need to do to make it into the semis?
The burning question now emerges: will fans be treated to another India-Pakistan clash at the World Cup? However, the likelihood of a ‘yes’ seems highly unlikely as Pakistan have a mountain to climb in front of them.
The 1992 champions Pakistan will have to achieve the unachievable. If they bat first and score 300, they need to win the match by around 287 runs meaning England need to be bowled out for 13. No team in international cricket collapsed to this score.
And if England go on to bat first it would end Pakistan’s chances at the toss time only as they will have to chase the target in 2.3 overs.
The table topper India will square off against a fourth-placed team which would be in all likelihood New Zealand on November 15 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. While South Africa and Australia will be up against each other in the second semifinal on Nov 16 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.