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Check out how can Pakistan still make their way to ODI World Cup 2023 semi-finals after brilliant 21-run victory over New Zealand
Pakistan’s cricket team is back on the winning track, with two impressive victories against Bangladesh and New Zealand in the ODI World Cup 2023. The most notable win came against New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on November 4th, where Pakistan secured a surprising victory.
In this high-scoring encounter, New Zealand posted a massive total of 401 runs on the scoreboard. Chasing this challenging target, Pakistan’s star batters, Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam, displayed exceptional batting prowess. They ensured that Pakistan remained ahead of the DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) target, accounting for rain interruptions. When the match was eventually called off due to rain, Pakistan emerged victorious by 21 runs via the DLS method.
This victory keeps Pakistan’s hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals alive. South Africa has already secured their spot in the semis, with India being the first team to do so after winning all seven of their matches in the tournament. For Pakistan to secure a semi-final berth, they’ll need some luck and favourable scenarios to unfold.
Here are some key points that could pave the way for Pakistan’s qualification:
If the New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka match ends in a washout, Pakistan must:
- Defeat England to surpass New Zealand in terms of points.
- Ensure that their Net Run Rate (NRR) remains higher than Afghanistan’s if Afghanistan defeats either South Africa or Australia.
However, if Afghanistan manages to beat both South Africa and Australia, and Australia prevails against Bangladesh, then Pakistan will be eliminated from the tournament. With the combination of skill, determination, and a little bit of luck, the Men in Green can still clinch a spot in the knockout stage of the ODI World Cup 2023. Cricket fans worldwide will be eagerly watching as the tournament unfolds, with excitement building for the remaining matches and the ultimate outcome.