ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 semi-final scenarios: Pakistan stay alive, tense times for England

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 saw two contrasting games on Saturday. Pakistan secured a sensational three-wicket win against Afghanistan and kept their hopes of reaching the semi-final alive. On the other hand, New Zealand’s hopes of reaching the semi-final was delayed after suffering a heavy loss to Australia in Lord’s. With the wins for Pakistan and Australia, the race for the play-offs has intensified. Australia are now assured of a top two finish while for Pakistan, their fate will now boil down to the final league game and they will be hoping for some other results going their way. Here is what the remaining teams need to do in order to seal the spot in the semis. 

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 win in one of their three games will secure them a place in the semi-final. If they win all three, they are assured of a top spot. If they win only two out of three, they have to hope Australia lose to South Africa in order to seal the first position.

New Zealand 

P – 8, W – 5, L – 2, N/R – 1, Points – 11 

Position in table: 3^rd

Game remaining: vs England (July 3) 

What they must do:

A loss in two consecutive games has put their semi-final hopes in a bit of jeopardy. The big loss to Australia has also impacted their net run-rate. Their last game against England could become a virtual shoot-out if England wins against India and Pakistan beat Bangladesh by a massive margin. However, if India beat England and Sri Lanka win only one game, then they will be assured of a semi-final spot.

Pakistan 

P – 8, W – 4, L – 3, N/R – 1, Points – 9 

Position in table: 4^th 

Game remaining: vs Bangladesh (July 5)

What they must do:

Their thrilling win against Afghanistan has kept them in the hunt for a spot in the semi-final. However, their net run-rate still remains the worst among the teams in contention. Pakistan will be hoping that England lose one game and that Sri Lanka, Bangladesh lose against India in order to have a clear path. The clash against Bangladesh will be a virtual shoot-out. If they lose to Bangladesh, then they will be eliminated as their net run-rate is poor.

England 

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

Position in table: 5^th 

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

What they must do:

For England, the situation is incredibly dire. If they lose to India, their game against New Zealand is a must-win. They will have to hope that Bangladesh lose to India but beat Pakistan. If they lose both games, they will be eliminated from the tournament. They will also be hoping that Sri Lanka wins only one game.

Bangladesh 

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

Position in table: 6^th 

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

What they must do:

With Pakistan’s win, their situation has also become a must-win. If they lose to India, they will have to beat Pakistan. In order to reach the semi-final, not only must they beat Pakistan, they must hope England lose one game and that Sri Lanka also wins only one game. If Bangladesh win both games and England win only one, then they can qualify for the semi-finals on net run-rate. 

Sri Lanka 

Position in table: 7^th 

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

What they must do: 

Sri Lanka must win both games and ensure England lose both. If Pakistan lose to Bangladesh, then Sri Lanka will qualify. A loss in any game will see them getting eliminated.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Pakistan has won three consecutive games in 2019 World Cup.
• England face a must-win situation against India and New Zealand.
• India and New Zealand will qualify for semi-final if England lose on Sunday.