Australia can lock in a semi-final spot against an Afghanistan outfit also eyeing a top-four finish, while New Zealand and Pakistan are firmly in the race for a place in the knockout stages. We look at every side’s hopes and qualification pathway at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
The race for the two semi-final spots still up for grabs at the Cricket World Cup remains wide open after Pakistan’s critical win over New Zealand, while undefeated India have locked in top spot after thumping second-placed South Africa.
Australia and New Zealand currently join the qualified duo India and South Africa in the crucial top-four places, but Pakistan and Afghanistan are right in the hunt to snatch a semi-final spot and even Netherlands in ninth-place can keep the dream alive.
Here is what each team needs to do - and the other results that have to go their way - to finish in the top four and qualify for the knockout stage:
1. India
Wins: 8
Losses: 0
Net run rate: +2.456
Still to play: Netherlands (12 November)
Path to qualification:
Qualified
2. South Africa
Wins: 6
Losses: 2
Net run rate: +1.376
Still to play: Afghanistan (10 November)
Path to qualification:
Qualified
3. Australia
Wins: 5
Losses: 2
Net run rate: +0.924
Still to play: Afghanistan (7 November), Bangladesh (11 November)
Path to qualification:
Win both of their remaining matches to finish on 14 points and be guaranteed qualification
Win one of their remaining matches to finish on 12 points and be guaranteed qualification
Lose both of their remaining matches to finish on eight points, and finish with a higher net run rate than at least two of the other teams (New Zealand, Afghanistan, Pakistan) that can also finish on 10 points
4. New Zealand
Wins: 4
Losses: 4
Net run rate: +0.398
Still to play: Sri Lanka (9 November)
Path to qualification:
Win their remaining match to finish on 10 points, and finish with a higher net run rate than at least two of the other teams (Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan) that can also finish on 10 points
Lose their remaining match to finish on eight points, hope Pakistan and Afghanistan lose all of their remaining matches, and finish with a higher net run rate than those two teams as well as Netherlands that can also finish on eight points
5. Pakistan
Wins: 4
Losses: 4
Net run rate: +0.036
Still to play: England (11 November)
Path to qualification:
Win their remaining match to finish on 10 points, and finish with a higher net run rate than at least two of the other teams (Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan) that can also finish on 10 points
Lose their remaining match to finish on eight points, hope New Zealand and Afghanistan lose all of their remaining matches, and finish with a higher net run rate than those two teams as well as Netherlands that can also finish on eight points.
6. Afghanistan
Wins: 4
Losses: 3
Net run rate: -0.330
Still to play: Australia (7 November), South Africa (10 November)
Path to qualification:
Win both of their remaining matches to finish on 12 points and be guaranteed qualification
Win one of their remaining matches to finish on 10 points, and finish with a higher net run rate than at least two of the other teams (Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan) that can also finish on 10 points
Lose both of their remaining matches to finish on eight points, hope New Zealand and Pakistan lose all of their remaining matches, and finish with a higher net run rate than those two teams as well as Netherlands that can also finish on eight points
7. Bangladesh
Wins: 2
Losses: 6
Net run rate: -1.142
Still to play: Australia (11 November)
Path to qualification:
Can not qualify for knockout stage
8. Sri Lanka
Wins: 2
Losses: 6
Net run rate: -1.160
Still to play: New Zealand (9 November)
Path to qualification:
Can not qualify for knockout stage
9. Netherlands
Wins: 2
Losses: 5
Net run rate: -1.398
Still to play: England (8 November), India (12 November)
Path to qualification:
Win both of their remaining matches to finish on eight points, hope New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan lose all of their remaining matches, and finish with a higher net run rate than those three teams that can also finish on eight points
10. England
Wins: 1
Losses: 6
Net run rate: -1.504
Still to play: Netherlands (8 November), Pakistan (11 November)
PHOTO: AFP
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