New Delhi. India beat South Africa to top the World Cup 2023 points table. No team can shake him from the top now. Team India will now enter the semi-finals as the number one team in the points table. The question of which team will face him is yet to be answered. In fact, most people are saying that India can compete with Pakistan, New Zealand or Afghanistan. But cum is half the truth. There are two other teams who can finish fourth in the points table or spoil the equation say Pakistan or New Zealand or Afghanistan. And yes, even Australia is not safe. Let’s understand the semi-final equation according to each team shall we?
1. Indian team at the top
Indian team is in great form. He is on top of the points table. By winning 8 matches in a row, he has made a place in the semi-finals. It is certain that he will remain number one in the points table. India has one more match to play. The next match is against Netherlands on November 12.
2. South Africa is also safe
The South African team may have conceded only 83 runs against India but they have also confirmed their place in the semi-finals. He has 12 points in 8 games. His run rate is +1.376. He still has one more match to play. The next match is against Afghanistan on November 10.
3. Australia will have to play cautiously
Australia have won 5 of their 7 matches so far. Apart from India, they are the only team to have won their last 5 matches consecutively. His run rate is +0.924. Australia still have two matches to play. He can secure a place in the semi-finals even by winning one match. The next two matches are against Afghanistan and Netherlands.
4. New Zealand just want a win
Now only one more match is left for New Zealand. He is scheduled to play against Sri Lanka on November 9. If New Zealand wins this match, they will get 10 points. His run rate is +0.398. But in this race to the semi-finals, it will only get an edge if Pakistan or Afghanistan lose their match or lag behind the Kiwi team in run rate.
5. Pakistan’s path will lead only through victory
Pakistan’s hopes of playing the semi-finals are also intact. But they will reach number 4 in the points table only if they win their matches and New Zealand and Afghanistan lose their matches. But that’s not all. Sri Lanka and Netherlands can also spoil Pakistan’s game. That means, apart from New Zealand, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Netherlands are also included in this semi-final equation. Pakistan’s last match is against England on November 11.
6. Afghanistan have 2 matches left
Afghanistan is the team of this World Cup that has shocked everyone. He has 8 points in 7 matches. That is, if he wins the remaining two matches, he can get 12 points. That means Afghanistan is a team that if they win their 2 matches, Pakistan and New Zealand’s path to the semi-finals will be blocked. If New Zealand wins a match then they have to pray for New Zealand, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Netherlands to lose.
7. Sri Lanka also in the race for the semi-finals
The Sri Lankan team may have lost 5 matches but they are not out of the race for the semi-finals. He has to win both his remaining matches to play in the semi-finals. This will make his score 8 points. Apart from this, Sri Lanka will have to pray that Pakistan, Afghanistan and Netherlands lose their matches. And yes, if that happens then run rate will become important. That means Sri Lanka don’t just have to win, they have to win by a huge margin.
8. The Netherlands will also have hope
When we are talking about the semi-final equation, the Netherlands cannot be kept out of it either. Just as Sri Lanka can reach the semi-finals even after losing their 5 matches, same is the case with the Netherlands. Let’s understand how Netherlands can reach the semi-finals. This will require the Dutch team to win both their matches by a large margin. If this happens, he will get 8 points and the run rate will also be in plus. But even after reaching 8 points, they have to pray that teams from Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka lose their matches.
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Tags: Afghanistan, Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, World Cup 2023
First published: November 6, 2023, 12:20 IST