New Delhi:
Pakistan are staging a revival in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 after a torrid start that saw them win just one out of five games. In Edgbaston, Pakistan once again opened up the race for the semi-final with a seven-wicket win over New Zealand. This was the first loss for Kane Williamson’s side and it has thrown open the play-off race. Australia are the only team assured of a place in the semi-final while there is a tough competition for three spots between seven teams. Pakistan are on the resurgence while England, who have lost two consecutive games now face a tricky situation. Here is what the seven teams need to do in order to seal a spot in the last four.
New Zealand
Position in table: 2nd
P – 7, W – 5, L – 1, N/R – 1, Points – 11
Games remaining: vs Australia (June 29), vs England (July 3)
What they must do
A win for New Zealand would have sealed their spot in the semi-final. Instead, they now find themselves in a must-win situation in their last two games. If they win one of their remaining games, they are through. However, if they lose their remaining games, they must hope Pakistan do not win their remaining games by a massive margin. If Bangladesh win both their games and Sri Lanka wins all three of their games, then New Zealand could be eliminated. They must hope Sri Lanka win only two out of three games while Pakistan and Bangladesh win only one out of their two games.
India
Position in table: 3rd
P – 5, W – 4, L – 0, N/R – 1, Points – 9
Games remaining: vs West Indies (June 27), vs England (June 30), vs Bangladesh (July 2), vs Sri Lanka (July 6)
What they must do
For India, New Zealand’s loss has given them a chance to finish on top. They must hope Australia do not win more than one game. Two wins in their next four games will seal their spot in the semi-final. However, if they lose all their remaining games, they will be in trouble. They must hope Sri Lanka lose two out of three games and that Pakistan and Bangladesh do not win more than one game.
England
Position in table: 4th
P – 7, W – 4, L – 3, N/R – 0, Points – 8
Games remaining: vs India (June 30), vs New Zealand (July 3)
What they must do
With Pakistan’s win, England in are in big trouble. They have not defeated India in World Cups since 1992 and New Zealand since 1983. If England lose both their games, then they will be eliminated. If England win one game, they must hope Sri Lanka and Pakistan do not win their remaining games. If England win both games, then they will be assured of qualification provided Sri Lanka win only two out of three games.
Bangladesh
Position in table: 5th
P – 7, W – 3, L – 3, N/R – 1, Points: 7
Games remaining: vs India (July 2), vs Pakistan (July 5)
What they must do
For Bangladesh, they must win their remaining games and hope England lose to both India and New Zealand. They must also hope Sri Lanka do not win all their games. If Bangladesh win only one game, they must hope England lose both their games while Sri Lanka and Pakistan win only one game.
Pakistan
Position in table: 6th
P – 7, W – 3, L – 3, N/R – 1, Points – 7
Games remaining: vs Afghanistan (June 29), vs Bangladesh (July 5)
What they must do
Pakistan are on the surge and this has increased the pressure on the other teams. If they win both their remaining games, they must hope that Sri Lanka do not win more than one game and that England lose both their games. In order to finish higher than fourth, they will have to hope India lose three out of their four games. A win in their final two games by big margins will also enhance their net run-rate.
Sri Lanka
Position in table: 7th
P – 6, W – 2, L – 2, N/R – 2, Points: 6
Games remaining: vs South Africa (June 28), vs West Indies (July 1), vs India (July 6)
What they must do
For Sri Lanka, they must win all their games. If they win all three, they will have to hope England lose one of their games and that Pakistan and Bangladesh also win only one out of their remaining games. If they lose their next game, both their games will be a must-win. If they win only one game, they will be eliminated. If they win two out of three games, they must hope England do not win both their games and that Pakistan and Bangladesh win just one game.
West Indies
Position in table: 8th
P – 6, W – 1, L – 4, N/R -1, Points: 3
Games remaining: vs India (June 27), vs Sri Lanka (July 1), vs Afghanistan (July 4)
What they must do
If they lose one game, they are out of the tournament. They have to win all three games. If they win all games, they must hope England, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh lose all their games. They will be hoping Pakistan wins only one game that too by a small margin.
How can an India vs Pakistan semi-final take place?
With the resurgence shown by Pakistan and with India in top form, there is a chance that an India vs Pakistan semi-final can happen. This can happen if these two scenarios can happen. If India win their remaining games and Australia win only one out of their remaining two games, they will top the group. If Pakistan wins their remaining games and England win only one game and Sri Lanka and Bangladesh do not win all their games, then Pakistan could finish in fourth. In that case, it could be an India vs Pakistan semi-final.
