A packed Narendra Modi Stadium witnessed India face Pakistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The world’s largest cricket stadium by capacity was swathed in a sea of blue to witness Rohit Sharma’s men register a one-sided win over their arch-rivals.
That was India’s third of eight victories in a row as they made the semi-finals and are ensure to finish the league stage of the competition top of the points table.
On the other hand, Pakistan has just about managed to keep their hopes of making it to the last-four stage alive and there’s a real possibility of India facing Babar Azam’s men again in the tournament.
Follow all the action from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 including the World Cup schedule, World Cup 2023 results, and ICC Cricket World Cup points table. Players are vying to top the World Cup 2023 Most Runs and World Cup 2023 Most Wickets charts.
The top team from the league stage will face he fourth-placed team in the last-four.
Here are the three scenarios that could lead to an India vs Pakistan Semi-final
The Net Run-rate Muddle
Three teams – New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan – are currently locked on eight points each. New Zealand have the best NRR of the three and hence are sitting at the fourth spot followed by Pakistan and Afghanistan. All three are semi-final contenders.
New Zealand will next face Sri Lanka while Pakistan take on England.
A New Zealand defeat to Sri Lanka and a win over England will give Pakistan 10 points and they will move ahead in the race.
However, for that to happen, they will pray that Afghanistan lose at least one of their remaining two matches (Australia and South Africa) which will keep them level on points and then NRR will come into play. Should Afghanistan lose both, Pakistan will qualify.
In case both Pakistan and New Zealand win their respective last match and Afghanistan taste defeat to both Australia and South Africa, the NRR will decide India’s opponent.
Rain Interruption
If New Zealand beat Sri Lanka and Pakistan vs England is rained out then the 1992 champions will be eliminated.
However, if the scenario is reversed then Pakistan will have 10 points but their fate will still rest on how Afghanistan fare in their final two fixtures.
What about Australia?
Australia are on 10 points and have two matches remaining – vs Afghanistan and vs Bangladesh. A win in either will push the five-time winners into the semi-finals.
However, in case Australia lose both then their fate will be decided by the outcomes of other matches.
In case Australia remain on 10 points by the end of the league stage, a win for either New Zealand or Pakistan will bring NRR into play.
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