Australia’s recent victory against Afghanistan has provided hope for Pakistan’s chances of reaching the World Cup semi-finals. With 8 points in 8 matches and a net run rate of 0.036, Babar Azam’s team is currently in fifth place on the World Cup table. Their upcoming match against England on November 11th at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, will be crucial.
New Zealand is currently sitting in fourth place with 8 points from 8 matches and a net run rate of 0.398. They are set to face Sri Lanka on November 9th at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Meanwhile, Afghanistan is in sixth place with 8 points from 8 matches but a negative run rate of -0.338. Their match against South Africa on November 10th at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, will play a significant role in determining their fate.
The fact that New Zealand, Pakistan, and Afghanistan all have 8 points means that the outcomes of their final league matches will greatly impact their semi-final prospects. If New Zealand wins against Sri Lanka, they will have a better chance of qualifying for the semi-finals, given their superior run rate compared to Pakistan. This means that Pakistan needs to win their match against England by a considerable margin to stand a chance. Pakistan has around 20% chance of qualifying for the semifinal.
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Weather conditions in Bengaluru, where New Zealand plays Sri Lanka on Thursday, will also be closely monitored. Predictions suggest a high likelihood of rain and thunderstorms, with a 90% chance of precipitation. If the match ends without a result, both New Zealand and Sri Lanka will share the points. In such a scenario, Pakistan’s victory against England would increase their chances of facing India in the semi-final in Mumbai on November 15th.