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How Pakistan can still qualify for Cricket World Cup knockouts after win over New Zealand
Pakistan’s future in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is still uncertain following their latest losses against Afghanistan and South Africa, as the tournament heads towards the latter stages.
The 1992 champions have a chance to make it to the semi-finals of World Cup 2023, after they defeated New Zealand by 21 runs (DLS method) on Sunday, but their qualification will depend on the results of other teams.
Pakistan, under the captaincy of Babar Azam, kick-started World Cup 2023 with two back-to-back victories. Pakistan won their opening match against the Netherlands in Hyderabad, before completing a World Cup-record run chase against Sri Lanka at the same venue.
Pakistan, however, suffered a massive slip in form since their meeting against India on 14 October. A poor batting performance saw them get bowled out for 199 against India, who comfortably won the game by seven wickets inside 31 overs at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
The defeat against India was followed by Pakistan receiving a thrashing from Australia and a lower-ranked Afghanistan, as well as a nail-biting loss to South Africa.
Pakistan’s net run rate fell to -0.378 after suffering four consecutive losses in the ongoing 50-over World Cup. But Azam’s side is just outside the top four with eight points from eight matches, and just one more game to play in the group stage.
They victory against New Zealand means that Pakistan could leapfrog the Kiwis into the top four at the final hurdle but they would need to heavily beat England to do.
India and South Africa have been on another level this campaign and with Australia’s resgurence the three sides already have one foot in the semi-finals. The fourth spot, currently occupied by New Zealand, is still up for grabs but Pakistan would need to vastly improve their run-rate to reach the knockout rounds.
Here is how Pakistan can qualify for the semis:
Pakistan win defeat England – 5 wins, 10 points
Even if Pakistan are victorious against England it will still be a difficult route to the knockout stage. In this scenario, Babar Azam’s team would likely need to create such a margin of victory that they better New Zealand or Australia’s net run-rates in order to secure a place in the knockout rounds.
However, should New Zealand fail to beat Sri Lanka in their final match and Pakistan then defeat England they would progress having secure more points than the Kiwis.
Pakistan lose to England – 4 wins, 8 points
Pakistan will likely be knocked out of the World Cup 2023. As their current net run rate (+0.036) is lower than New Zealand’s, the Men in Green will be eliminated from the tourament if they fail to beat England. A small glimmer of hope would come from a Sri Lanka victory over the Kiwis but it would have to be a massively heavy defeat to give Pakistan a chance of progressing which is unlikely.
