The ICC Women's World Cup 2022 is approaching its final stages in New Zealand as the battle for the top four continues between the participating teams.
Australia is the only team to qualify for the semifinals thus far. The six-time champion Australia is unbeaten at the 2022 edition of the World Cup and have won all five matches, making them the first and only team to qualify for the knockout stages.
As there are seven other teams with only three more spots available for the semifinals, here are the different qualification scenarios for the teams:
South Africa
Played: 4, Points: 8, NRR: 0.226
Remaining matches: vs Australia, West Indies, India
Besides Australia, South Africa is the other unbeaten team in the Women's World Cup so far. The proteas women have won all four matches and are currently at eight points with three remaining matches.
South Africa needs to win only one of their three remaining matches to cement their spot in the top four, while they can still edge it to the knockout stages after losing all three matches depending on the result of India, West Indies, and England's remaining matches.
West Indies
Played: 6, Points: 6, NRR: -0.885
Remaining matches: vs South Africa
West Indies are currently in the third spot with six-point with one match remaining. They have won three and lost three so far in the tournament.
West Indies need to win their last match against South Africa to maximize their chances to qualify for the knockout stage. In case they lose their last match, they can still qualify depending on the result of India and England's remaining matches.
India
Played: 5, Points: 4, NRR: 0.456
Remaining matches: vs Bangladesh, South Africa.
India is currently on the fourth spot with four points with two matches remaining. They have won two and lost three of their five matches.
India needs to win both of their remaining matches to maximize their chances to qualify for the knock-out stage; they can still edge through if they win one of their remaining matches depending on the result of West Indies and England's remaining matches.
England
Played: 5, Points: 4, NRR: 0.327
Remaining matches: vs Pakistan, Bangladesh
England had a horrible start to their World Cup campaign by losing their first three matches, while they were able to bounce back with two consecutive victories to keep their hopes alive to qualify for the knock-out stage. England is currently at number five on the table with four points and two matches remaining.
England needs to win both of their remaining matches and hope either West Indies or India lose one of their remaining matches. They can still manage to sneak through to the semifinal if they win one of their remaining games depending on the result of West Indies and India.
New Zealand
Played: 6, Points: 4, NRR: -0.229
Remaining match: vs Pakistan
New Zealand is currently in sixth spot with six points and one match remaining. Although their chances were faded when they lost their last match against England, technically, they still have a slight chance with a lot of ifs and buts involved.
New Zealand is almost out of the tournament as the chances of England and India losing all of their remaining matches are very less.
Bangladesh
Played: 4, Points: 2, NRR: -0.342
Remaining matches: vs India, Australia, England
Bangladesh has played four matches and is currently on the seventh spot with three matches remaining. They have won one match and lost three.
Win all of their remaining matches.
The chances for Bangladesh qualification are very low, but they still have a chance hoping against hope.
Pakistan
Played: 5, Points: 2, NRR: -0.878
Remaining matches: vs England, New Zealand
Pakistan is currently at the bottom of the table with two points out of their five matches as they lost a few very close games against South Africa and Bangladesh, which caused their early exit from the mega event.
Although Pakistan can not qualify for the semifinals, but they still have the chance to knock out England.
The ICC Women's World Cup final will be played on April 3 at Christchurch.