The ICC 2023 World Cup is in its last week. Australia, South Africa, and India are all undefeated and have guaranteed their places in the semi-finals, which has intensified the competition for the fourth spot.
- Following an impressive showing against Afghanistan that resulted in a three-wicket victory on Tuesday, Australia became the most recent team to guarantee their spot in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.
- This victory was largely due to Glenn Maxwell's remarkable innings.
- Australia joins the unbeaten hosts India and South Africa as the third side to guarantee a spot in the semi-finals.
- Afghanistan, Pakistan, and New Zealand are the three teams vying for the final semi-final position.
- To move forward, they need to win their remaining league games and contend for a high net run rate (NRR). Any of these teams would be out of the race if they lost the last league game.
- Following a run of defeats, the tournament's defending champions, England, were eliminated.
- Controversial Bangladesh has also given up on making it to the tournament's knockout stages.
Who will India play in the semifinals?
New Zealand
Present Place – Fourth
New Zealand leads Pakistan, Afghanistan, and New Zealand in the current three-way match on net run rate.
They need to win their final game against Sri Lanka in order to guarantee a spot in the following round.
As long as their net run rate stays respectable, they can continue progress even in the event of a loss.
In order for this to succeed, New Zealand must advance based on net run rate in their most recent games against Pakistan and Afghanistan, which shouldn't be decided by a wide margin.
Read also: What Is the Points Table for the Cricket World Cup 2023 Following Pakistan's Win Over Bangladesh
Pakistan
Current Position – Fifth
Pakistan, under the leadership of Babar Azam, must hope that New Zealand loses to Sri Lanka in their last game.
Pakistan will need to defeat England by a wide margin in their final match if this isn't the case.
Pakistan will very certainly be eliminated from the tournament if they lose to England.
Afghanistan
Current Position - Sixth
Afghanistan had the lowest net run rate going into their last group-stage encounter against South Africa, out of the three teams with eight points apiece.
Only if Pakistan and New Zealand both lose their remaining matches will Afghanistan be able to qualify.
Alternatively, Afghanistan must defeat South Africa handily in order to have any chance at a battle of net run rate.
However, Afghanistan will be eliminated from the competition if they lose their next game against South Africa.
Netherlands
Current Position – Ninth
The Netherlands, who have stunned South Africa and Bangladesh in this World Cup, now have a difficult task ahead of them in the semifinals.
Their net run rate (NRR) is in even worse shape than Afghanistan's, with five losses and just four points.
They must decisively beat India and England to have a chance. They also depend on Afghanistan, Pakistan, and New Zealand losing their last games.
India is awaiting the identity of its probable opponent in the World Cup semi-final, which is set to take place on November 15, 2023, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, as the group round matches come to a close.
