ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final scenarios: Sri Lanka slip, England still in trouble

Sri Lanka had made the entire race for the playoffs interesting when they defeated England in Leeds. However, their chances of reaching the semi-final has taken a massive hit following their nine-wicket loss in the clash against South Africa at Leeds. The heavy nature of the loss has resulted in their net run-rate taking a big hit. Their NRR of -1.186 is the worst of all the teams. For Sri Lanka to progress, these are the following scenarios as they are now dependent on the result of other teams in order to progress into the next round. Here is what the remaining six teams need to do in order to seal the three semi-final spots. 

India 

Position in table: 2^nd 

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

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

What they must do: 

Equation is simple for India. If they win one of their remaining games, they will seal a spot in the semi-final. If they lose all three games, they must hope England do not win against New Zealand and that Pakistan or Bangladesh do not win both their games. They must also hope that New Zealand do not beat Australia in Lord’s. 

New Zealand 

Position in table: 3^rd 

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

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

What they must do: 

For New Zealand, a win in either of their games will be enough. However, if they lose both, they will have to hope India lose all games and that Pakistan wins both their games by a small margin. New Zealand’s good net run-rate still does not make their fate desperate but they will be hoping to win against either Australia or England. 

England 

Position in table: 4^th 

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

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

What they must do:

For England, the situation is now do or die. They have to win both games. If they lose both, they will be eliminated. If they win only one out of their next two games, they will have to hope Pakistan and Bangladesh lose one game while Sri Lanka also loses one of their remaining two games. 

Bangladesh 

Position in table: 5^th 

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

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

What they must do: 

If Bangladesh lose both games, they are eliminated. If they win one game, they will have to hope England lose both games and that Sri Lanka do not win against either West Indies or India. If Pakistan wins against Afghanistan by a small margin, then their game against Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side becomes a virtual knock-out. 

Pakistan 

Position in table: 6^th 

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

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

What they must do: 

Pakistan’s situation is very similar to Bangladesh. If they win both games, they will knock Bangladesh out. If they win both games, they will have to hope England wins only one game and that New Zealand lose both games by a big margin so that they can finish better than fourth.

Sri Lanka 

Position in table: 7^th 

P – 7, W – 2, L – 3, N/R – 2, Points – 5 

Games remaining: vs West Indies (July 1), vs India (July 6) 

What they must do: 

A loss in either of their games and they will be eliminated. If they win both games, they will have to hope New Zealand and India beat England. They must hope Bangladesh lose both their games and that Pakistan does not beat either Afghanistan or Bangladesh by a big margin. Sri Lanka must thrash West Indies and India by massive margins as they have the worst net run-rate among all teams still in the fray for the semis.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• India need one more win to seal a spot in the semi-final of 2019 World Cup.
• New Zealand are also one win away from reaching the playoffs.
• England and Sri Lanka face must-win situations in 2019 World Cup.