ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 semi-final scenarios: India a win away, pressure on England

Virat Kohli’s Indian cricket team continued their domination in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 by registering a massive 125-run victory against West Indies in Old Trafford. India is the only undefeated team in the tournament and they will be aiming to continue the trend in the remaining games. With this result in Manchester, India is only one win away from sealing a spot in the semi-final while the West Indies join South Africa and Afghanistan as the teams who have been eliminated. The fight for the remaining three semi-final spots has boiled down to six teams, with England facing massive pressure. Barring Australia, the scramble for the remaining spots promises to be intense. Here is what the remaining six teams need to do to seal the three semi-final spots.

India

P – 6, W – 5, L – 0, N/R -1, Points – 11

Position in table: 2^nd

Games remaining: vs England (June 30), vs Bangladesh (July 2), vs Sri Lanka (July 6)

What they must do:

A big win against the West Indies has boosted their net run-rate and their equation is simple. A win in any of their last three games seals their qualification for the playoffs. If they lose all three, they must hope New Zealand lose their remaining games by a massive margin and that England and Sri Lanka do not win their remaining games. If England, Sri Lanka win all their games and New Zealand win one game and India lose all, then Virat Kohli’s side will be eliminated.

New Zealand

P – 7, W – 5, L – 1, N/R – 1, Points – 11

Position in table: 3^rd

Games remaining: vs Australia (June 29), vs England (July 3)

What they must do:

New Zealand suffered their first loss in the tournament to Pakistan and their next two games are against tough opponents. A win either against Australia or New Zealand seals their spot in the semis. If they lose both their games, they must hope England lose to India and that Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh do not win their remaining games. New Zealand will benefit greatly if Sri Lanka loses two out of their three games while Bangladesh and Pakistan do not win more than one game.

England

P – 7, W -4, L – 3, Points – 8

Position in table: 4^th

Games remaining: vs India (June 30), vs New Zealand (July 3)

What they must do:

England is in a vulnerable position in the World Cup. If they lose to India, they are in big trouble. If they win only one game, they have to hope Sri Lanka win only one game and that Bangladesh does not win their remaining games. They must also hope for Afghanistan to create a miracle against Pakistan. If they lose both their games, they will be eliminated.

Bangladesh

P – 7, W – 3, L – 3, N/R – 1, Points – 7

Position in table: 5^th

Games remaining: vs India (July 2), vs Pakistan (July 5)

What they must do:

Bangladesh must win their remaining games and hope New Zealand do not win against Australia and England. If Bangladesh loses one game, they have to hope Sri Lanka do not win their remaining games and that Pakistan loses one of their games to either Afghanistan or against them. If they lose both their games, they will be eliminated.

Pakistan

P – 7, W – 3, L – 3, N/R – 1, Points – 7

Position in table: 6^th

Games remaining: vs Afghanistan (June 29), vs Bangladesh (July 5)

What they must do:

For Pakistan, the equation is simple. They must win their remaining games. If they lose one, they will have to hope England lose both their games and that Sri Lanka does not win more than one game. If they lose both their games, they will be eliminated.

Sri Lanka

P – 6, W – 2, L – 2, N/R – 2, Points – 6

Position in table: 7^th

Games remaining: vs South Africa (June 28), vs West Indies (July 1), vs India (July 6)

What they must do:

Sri Lanka will do themselves a big favour if they beat South Africa. If they win all their games, they will be hoping England lose one game and that New Zealand loses both their games. If Sri Lanka loses all three games, they will be eliminated. If Sri Lanka wins only two games, they will have to hope England lose all their games and that Pakistan and Bangladesh win only one game. If Sri Lanka wins only one game, they will be knocked out.

Chances of India vs Pakistan semi-final?

With India’s win and Pakistan’s resurgence, the stage is potentially set for a semi-final clash between India and Pakistan in Manchester on July 9. If India wins their remaining games, they will top the group. This does not look improbable looking at the form of Virat Kohli’s side. If New Zealand beat England, then the hosts will be knocked out. If Pakistan thrash Afghanistan and Bangladesh and Sri Lanka do not win more than two games, then Pakistan will finish in fourth. Then India and Pakistan will square off for the eighth time in the World Cup and it will be in the same venue where the league game was played on June 16, when India won by 89 runs against Pakistan via DLS method.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• India is one win away from a guaranteed spot in the semis.
• Pakistan needs to win their remaining games and hope England lose both.
• Bangladesh and Sri Lanka also have a chance.