Pakistan knocked out of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 semi-final race, New Zealand seal fourth spot

Pakistan were knocked out of the semi-final race in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 after they failed to restrict Bangladesh to a total which was required for them to overhaul New Zealand on Net Run Rate. Pakistan had finished on 315/9 thanks to Imam ul Haq’s brilliant maiden World Cup ton but Mustafizur Rahman’s 5/75 restricted them in the death overs. In response, Pakistan had to achieve the mathematically impossible situation of bowling out Bangladesh for seven run or less. They failed to achieve that and New Zealand entered the semi-final as the fourth team along with Australia, India and England. In the second over bowled by Mohammad Amir, Soumya Sarkar was dropped and on the next ball, Tamim

Before the match itself, Pakistan were faced with a massive situation in order to overhaul New Zealand on Net Run Rate. They had to score in excess of 350 and in reality, near 450 to give themselves a fair chance. The equations confronting Pakistan were this. If Bangladesh had won the toss and batted, Pakistan would be eliminated without a ball bowled. Pakistan, though, won the toss and had no hesitation in batting.

The situation for Pakistan was clear. If they scored 350, they had to win by 311 runs. If Pakistan scored 400, they had to win by a margin of 316 runs and if they had scored 450, they had to win by 321 runs in order to overhaul New Zealand on Net Run Rate. However, thanks to some good bowling from Mustafizur and lack of intent from the Pakistan lower order, Pakistan were eliminated.

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed had said the loss to Australia was crucial in their World Cup campaign but it was their heavy loss against the West Indies in Trent Bridge on June 31 that had actually sealed their fate. Pakistan were subject to a short-ball barrage and they were bundled out for 105. West Indies reached the target in just 13 overs and that dented their Net Run Rate immensely, which was minus five at one point in time.

A wash-out against Sri Lanka did not help their cause and four losses in six games did not help Pakistan and they were eliminated at Lord’s.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Pakistan has been eliminated from the semi-final race.
• India, England, Australia and New Zealand are the four semi-finalists.
• India could finish on top with win over Sri Lanka.