It was the 31st match of the round-robin stage, which now has 14 matches left before the four semi-finalists are decided for the knockout stage.
With Pakistan’s win, New Zealand’s two-match losing run and Australia’s comeback, the top half of the points table is getting tighter as the tournament approaches the home straight. the last four are India and South Africa. Here’s a look at which team stands where in the race to the semi-finals (listed in order of their position on the points table):
INDIA
Position: No. 1
Win/loss record: 6-0
Points: 12
Net Run Rate: +1.405
Remaining matches: against Sri Lanka, South Africa and the Netherlands
Seven wins in round-robin games guarantee a place in the semi-finals, which leaves hosts India just one win away from booking a confirmed semi-final spot. However, even in the scenario of three defeats in their remaining league fixtures, India are more or less assured of staying in the top four.
![India in ICC World Cup 2023](https://static.toiimg.com/thumb/imgsize-23456,msid-104878270,width-600,resizemode-4/104878270.jpg)
SOUTH AFRICA
Position: No. 2
Win/loss record: 5-1
Points: 10
Net Run Rate: +2.032
Remaining matches: against New Zealand, India and Afghanistan
South Africa’s only defeat was an upset loss against the Netherlands, but their dominant display, especially with the bat, ensured big wins in five matches, increasing their net run rate, which is the best to date.
The Proteas ideally need two more wins to breathe easy, but have challenging matches against New Zealand and India to come. However, if they lose those two games by small margins and beat Afghanistan, they will most likely go through to the semis as they have a healthy net run rate.
NEW ZEALAND
Position: No. 3
Win/loss record: 4-2
Points: 8
Net Run Rate: +1.232
Remaining matches: against South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
The Kiwis are at least two wins short of a place in the semi-finals, and challenge for the last three matches to come. However, looking at their form, apart from the defeat against India, they have remained competitive and look determined to punch their ticket to the semis. But if they lose one or two of their next three matches by big margins, it can become touch and go for the Kiwis.
AUSTRALIA
Position: No. 4
Win/loss record: 4-2
Points: 8
Net Running Tax: +0.970
Remaining matches: against England, Afghanistan, Bangladesh
The Australians, who have lifted the ODI World Cup trophy five times, seem to have peaked at the right time after a terrible start that saw them lose their first two matches.
They are also ideally looking for two more wins at least but on form look firm favorites for the semi-finals, with matches remaining against hapless England, Afghanistan and eliminated Bangladesh.
PAKISTAN
Position: No. 5
Win/loss record: 3-4
Points: 6
Net Run Rate: -0.024
Remaining matches: against New Zealand and England
With their hopes hanging by a thread, Pakistan did themselves a favor by beating Bangladesh by a healthy margin of seven wickets after losing four matches in a row. The win not only improved their net run rate but also lifted them to fifth place on the points table.
However, their fate is not solely in their hands now and depends on the results in other matches, apart from the mandatory two wins they need in their last two matches. If they do that, and New Zealand and Afghanistan lose their remaining matches, Babar Azam & Co might just sneak away.
AFGHANISTAN
Position: No. 6
Win/loss record: 3-3
Points: 6
Net Run Rate: -0.718
Remaining matches: against the Netherlands, Australia and South Africa
Afghanistan have emerged as one of the most exciting teams to watch in this World Cup, especially in the way they upset three former champions — England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka — to stay in the race to the semi-finals.
To reach the magic number of six wins, they need to beat their remaining three opponents and want England to beat Australia.
SRI LANKA
Position: No. 7
Win/loss record: 2-4
Points: 4
Net Run Rate: -0.275
Remaining matches: against India, Bangladesh and New Zealand
With just two wins so far in six matches, Sri Lanka are all but out of the race to the semis and just mathematically alive. Their main focus will be to give themselves an outside chance by winning their remaining three matches and hope Australia or New Zealand’s campaign nose-walks.
Netherlands
Position: No. 8
Win/loss record: 2-4
Points: 4
Net Run Rate: -1.277
Remaining matches: against Afghanistan, England, India
The ‘Men in Orange’ won hearts of the cricket fans in this tournament, with their moment of glory coming in the win against the South Africans.
Their ranks out of chances now rest on the Australians and the New Zealanders losing all their matches and the Dutch beating their next three opponents, which include India.
BANGLADESH (Removed)
Position: No. 9
Win/loss record: 1-6
Points: 2
Net Run Rate: -1.446
ENGLAND
Position: No. 10
Win/loss record: 1-5
Points: 2
Net Run Rate: -1.652
Remaining matches: against Australia, Netherlands and Pakistan
The defending champions had a disastrous campaign, the worst ever for a team defending their ODI World Cup crown. But surprisingly, despite being behind eliminated Bangladesh on the points table, they have their extremely slim hopes alive.
For their semi-final chances, which practically depend on a miracle now, England need three wins, a markedly improved net run rate and results in other matches that can turn the table.