With 31 matches played to date, the ICC Men's ODI World Cup is nearing its last leg and has set up a thrilling sprint to the semifinals. Following Bangladesh's elimination from the competition following their Tuesday loss to Pakistan, nine teams are still in the running for one of the four semifinal positions in the highly competitive competition.
As of match number 31, no side had clinched a spot in the points table after six games played by each, making the positioning even more intriguing. With 12 points and a perfect record at this point in the competition, the hosts, India, are now atop the standings. South Africa, meanwhile, has won 10 points in six games and boasts an impressive Net Run Rate (NRR) of +2.032. With 8 points and a small gap in the NRR, New Zealand and Australia are ranked third and fourth, respectively.
Nevertheless, with three league games remaining for every team—aside from Pakistan and Bangladesh—significant and real opportunities exist for teams like Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands to secure a semifinal position.
Teams' semifinal qualifying scenario
India
Top-four finishers and the hosts are only one win—or point—away from securing a spot in the top four. Even if one of their final three games is a draw, a win, or no result at all, Team India will advance to the tournament's knockout stage.
India can only qualify for the semifinals if they lose their last games against Afghanistan and all ends in a pretty pass.In their last league games, Team India will play the Netherlands on November 12, South Africa on November 5, and Sri Lanka on November 2.As of right now, the Men in Blue have won six games in a row.
South Africa
With their enormous totals, the Proteas squad has been dominating this competition and has defeated numerous other teams. In addition, the group must score three points overall to guarantee a spot in the semifinals.
South Africa's final three games are against Afghanistan (10 November), India (5 November), and New Zealand (1 November). A victory would maintain the Temba Bavuma-led team in solid position to advance to the semifinals even if they lose two games by narrow scores.
Only one of South Africa's losses has come from an upset against the Netherlands.
New zealand
After winning their first two games in the competition, the Kiwis are now losing their next two matches. To advance to the knockout stage, they must win two games in a row; otherwise, they will be in a "touch and go" situation after losing one or two games by a large score.
South Africa on November 1, Pakistan on November 4, and Sri Lanka on November 9 are the remaining games for the New Zealand team. All three teams are expected to make it to the semifinals.
Australia
Australia's four wins in this event, which came after two humiliating losses, have put them in a better position to go to the semifinals.
Similar to their siblings' opponents, the Blap Caps, they too need to win two of the final three games against Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and England.
pakistan
Pakistan has advanced to the semifinals of this competition despite suffering four straight losses before defeating Bangladesh 7 wickets to one.
The Babar Azam-led club would need other teams' results to go their way in addition to giving it their all in the two league matches they still have left.
On November 4 they play New Zealand, and on November 11 they play the reigning champions, England.
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Afghanistan
Afghanistan has been a squad to watch out for in this competition. If they win all three of their remaining games, they have a real chance to secure a spot in the semifinals with six points still up for grabs.
Although a significant victory over their Asian rivals, Sri Lanka, further increased their hopes, the Dutch and Australian games will determine the team's destiny as well as the tournament's top four.
On November 3, the team captained by Hashmat Shahidi will play the Netherlands; on November 7, Australia; and on November 10, South Africa.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka must win all of its remaining games, including the match against the formidable hosts, who have had a tremendous season thus far, in order to get to the final four. They have a slim but realistic chance of qualifying for the knockout stages after the loss to the Afghans.
On November 2, the team will play India; on November 6, Bangladesh; and on November 9, New Zealand.
Netherlands
The Netherland Dutch have made a lasting impression on cricket fans worldwide and on the points table with their two outstanding wins against South Africa and Bangladesh at the World Cup.
They must defeat New Zealand, Australia, and India, though, if they hope to advance to the playoffs.
England
With just three games left, England, the defending champions, may salvage a dreadful tournament with a miraculously improved NRR. They are now at the bottom of the table due to their 1: 5 win-loss record, although they still have a slim chance of surviving.
Their upcoming matches are against Pakistan, the Netherlands, and Australia. If they were to win all three games, they would at the very least move up in the standings and maintain their hopes of earning the champions trophy.
