Former England captain Michael Vaughan questioned whether there was a prospect for a semi-final match between India and Pakistan following New Zealand’s 190-run loss to South Africa on Wednesday to add more spice to the final four spots of the ongoing ODI World Cup.
The World Cup 2023 semi-final race is very much alive as the Black Caps lost a crucial game against the formidable Proteas to open up a spot for other teams to get into the list of the final four. It looked like India, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia would easily take the top four slots but the Kiwis’ second biggest loss in the World Cup has given a chance to Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to sneak into the final four of the mega event.
Despite starting the 2023 World Cup with four wins, New Zealand still can shape their fate, even though they have lost their previous three games. Their net run rate took serious damage following their 190-run loss to the Proteas, which knocked them down from third to fourth spot on the points table but can still make it into the final four of the ODI World Cup by winning their next two games.
India v Pakistan Semi in Kolkata anyone .. 😜 #CWC23
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 1, 2023
The match between Pakistan and New Zealand is vital for both teams. To surpass New Zealand’s net run rate and improve their chances of making it to the semi-finals, Pakistan must defeat New Zealand by a minimum of 85 runs or chase down a target in about 35 overs, while Black Caps will look for a clinical win against the Men in Green to make their case stronger for the semifinals of the World Cup.
Pakistan fell short on net run rate to New Zealand in 2019 and therefore missed out on a World Cup semi-final berth by the narrowest of the margins. Babar Azam-led side would be keen to put up a show to win the game against the Kiwis and then England with some help from other teams in a bid to get into the final four of the marquee event in India.
Afghanistan has had an incredible World Cup campaign and is still in the running. But in their last two games, they need to absolute best to beat inform Australia and South Africa to make their case stronger for the knockout stages of the World Cup, while 2011 runners-up Sri Lanka will also have tougher opponents on the road to make it to last four of mega event in India.