World Cup 2023: Will rain affect New Zealand, Sri Lanka clash?

The ICC World Cup 2023 is gearing up for an exciting match as New Zealand takes on Sri Lanka in their final round match in Bengaluru on Thursday.

However, the weather in Bengaluru could pose a challenge to this crucial match. Weather forecasts indicate a 60% chance of rain throughout the day and night, with temperatures ranging between 19°C to 27°C. Thunderstorms are expected to develop during the afternoon and might intensify during the first innings break, potentially disrupting the game.

New Zealand started the tournament strongly, winning their first four matches, but then faced a string of four consecutive losses. Despite this setback, they still have a chance to reach the World Cup semi-finals by defeating Sri Lanka with a significant margin.

Their fate is also linked to Afghanistan's performance, as Afghanistan currently holds eight points from seven matches and has two more matches to play against Australia and South Africa. 

New Zealand's prospects will improve if Afghanistan loses one or both of these matches, or if their net run rate (NRR) improves.

Meanwhile, Pakistan, currently in fifth place on the points table, must defeat England on November 11 in Kolkata. They also hope for a Sri Lankan victory over New Zealand on November 9. 

Pakistan's chances are further boosted if Afghanistan loses at least one of their remaining two matches, as both teams have the same number of points (8) despite Pakistan having played one less match.