New Zealand’s 5-wicket win against Sri Lanka on Wednesday has almost quashed the semi-final hopes of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Prior to the encounter in Bengaluru, all three sides were tied with 8 points but positioned differently on the table based on their Net Run Rates. However, the scenario is completely different now.
The Black Caps are currently placed 4th with 10 points and an NRR of +0.743, nearly securing a semi-final spot. Pakistan and Afghanistan can still dethrone them if:
Afghanistan defeat South Africa in their next game by 438 runs to go past New Zealand’s net run rate of +0.743.
If Pakistan bat first against New Zealand, they will have to win by a margin of 287 runs
If Pakistan chase, they will have to bowl out England below a total of 50 runs, and chase the target of 51 in two overs, or if England score 100, Pakistan will have to complete the chase in 3 overs.
All aforementioned scenarios look practically impossible, leaving both teams with bleak chances to qualify.
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.
During a discussion on Pakistan’s A Sports, renowned TV anchor Fakhar-e-Alam revealed Wasim Akram’s hilarious idea on how Pakistan can still make it.
As told by the anchor on the show, Akram suggested that Pakistan should score as many runs as possible and then lock the English dressing room of the England side and get all their batters ‘timed out’.
“Make whatever score that is possible and then go and lock the dressing room of the England team for 20 minutes so that all their batters get timed out," Alam revealed while Akram was giggling.
Misbah-ul-Haq, who was also a part of the panel, suggested a more hilarious idea, saying that better to lock the English team even before the game starts.
Pakistan’s form guide
Babar Azam and Co. started with back-to-back victories, over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, in Hyderabad. But the 7-wicket loss to India dented their confidence mid-way. Another couple of defeats, at the hands of Afghanistan and South Africa, made their life difficult in the tournament.
They managed to bounce back with a 21-run win (D/L method) in a rain curtailed affair but now it seems all over for them, given the margin by which they are required to beat the defending champions in their next game.
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