ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 semi-final scenarios: England in trouble, hope for Sri Lanka and Pakistan

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is approaching the business end. There is only one week left of the league games and there is a tough fight for the semi-finals. Australia’s victory over England in Lord’s has made them the first team to enter the semi-final. The five-time champions displayed their mettle and will now be aiming to top the group by winning their last two games against New Zealand and South Africa. England’s loss, though, has opened up a massive opportunity for Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and even the West Indies, albeit mathematically. New Zealand and India are in a good position but they will be desperate to avoid a slip-up in their last few league games. With South Africa and Afghanistan being eliminated and with Australia already securing qualification for the semi-final, here is what the remaining teams need to do.

New Zealand

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

Position in table: 2^nd

Remaining games: vs Pakistan (June 26), vs Australia (June 29), vs England (July 3)

What they must do:

A win in any of their three games will guarantee them a spot in the semi-final. If they beat Pakistan, then they seal the spot in the semi-final. If they lose their remaining games, they will have to hope Sri Lanka do not win two out of three games and that Bangladesh loses one game. They will be hoping Pakistan also does not win more than two games.

India

P – 5, W – 4, L – 0, N/R – 1, Points – 9

Position in table: 3^rd

Remaining games: vs West Indies (June 27), vs England (June 30), vs Bangladesh (July 2), vs Sri Lanka (July 6)

What they must do:

Virat Kohli’s side is in top form at the moment and they have played the least number of games. A win in two out of their remaining four games guarantees them a spot in the semi-final. However, if they win only one, then they will have to hope Sri Lanka do not win their remaining games and that Bangladesh does not win their remaining two games. If they lose all their games and England win one, Sri Lanka wins all and Bangladesh win two of their remaining games, Kohli’s side will be eliminated.

England

P – 7, W – 4, L – 3, N/R – 0, Points – 8

Position in table: 4^th

Remaining games: vs India (June 30), vs New Zealand (July 3)

What they must do:

England is the most vulnerable of the lot. If they lose their remaining games, they will be eliminated. They must win both games to secure qualification. If they win only one, they must hope Sri Lanka win only one out of their remaining three games and that Bangladesh wins only one game. They must also hope that Pakistan loses one game.

Bangladesh

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

Position in table: 5^th

Remaining games: vs India (July 2), vs Pakistan (July 5)

What they must do:

With England’s loss, Bangladesh has gotten a lifeline but their next opponents are difficult. They must win both their games to seal qualification. However, if they win one game, they will have to hope England lose to both New Zealand and India. They must also hope that Sri Lanka does not win more than one game and that Pakistan loses two out of their remaining three games. If they lose both, they will be eliminated.

Sri Lanka

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

Position in table: 6^th

Remaining games: vs South Africa (June 28), vs West Indies (July 1), vs India (July 6)

What they must do:

Sri Lanka was the team who threw the entire race for the semi-final wide open with a win against England in Leeds. They have to win their remaining games in order to seal a spot in the semi-final. If they win only two games, they must hope England lose their remaining games by a massive margin. If England wins one game, then it boils down to net run-rate. They must pray that Bangladesh does not win their remaining two games and that Pakistan wins only one out of three games. If they win only one game and that England or Bangladesh win a game, they will be eliminated.

Pakistan

P – 6, W- 2, L – 3, N/R- 1, Points – 5

Position in table: 7^th

Remaining games: vs New Zealand (June 26), 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 to New Zealand today, they will still not be eliminated. If they win two out of their three games, then they will have to hope England lose their remaining games and that Sri Lanka does not win more than one game. They will be hoping Bangladesh lose both their games. There is a possibility that if Pakistan wins all their games and that Australia, New Zealand lose one and India win all their games, there could be an India vs Pakistan semi-final.

West Indies

P – 6, W – 1, L -4, N/R -1, Points – 3

Position in table: 8^th

Remaining games: vs India (June 27), vs Sri Lanka (July 1), vs Afghanistan (July 4)

What they must do:

West Indies still have a mathematical chance. If they lose to India, they are out. If they win all their games, they must hope England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh loses all their games and that Pakistan does not win more than one game. West Indies have to win all three for such a scenario to arise.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Australia is the only team to have sealed a semi-final spot in World Cup 2019.
• South Africa and Afghanistan are the only teams to be eliminated.
• England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and West Indies will be vying for the fourth spot.