ODI World Cup 2023 Semi-Final Scenarios: Where Does Each Team Stand?

The semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2023 are looming on the horizon with just under two weeks to go and the conclusion of the knockout stages of the tournament close at hand. The hunt for a place in the semi-finals of the 2023 Cricket World Cup remains fierce, as no team has firmly secured its place.

Currently, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia sit alongside host nation India in the critical top four spots in the points table. However, India’s win over Sri Lanka made them the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2023 ICC World Cup.

READ I| ODI World Cup 2023 Semi-Finals: Expected Teams, Venue, Date, Tickets & Other Details

2023 ODI World Cup Semi Finals Scenarios and Qualifiers

Here is the ICC World Cup 2023 semi-final qualification scenario of each team that fans are rooting for:

1. World Cup semi-final scenario in India

Team India has qualified for the semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup after a resounding win over Sri Lanka. Mohammad Shami and Mohammad Siraj were at their best taking 8 wickets. Shami took five while Siraj took 3 bowling out Sri Lanka for just 55 runs after India set a target of 357 thanks to Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer’s 92, 88 and 82 respectively.

Still to play against: South Africa (November 5), Netherlands (November 12)

2. Scenario of the semi-final of the World Cup in South Africa

The qualifying scenario for New Zealand is as follows:

South Africa qualified for the semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup after Pakistan beat New Zealand by 21 runs (D/L) thanks to Fakhar Zaman’s 63-ball 100.

Bringing the Protea Fire to the semi-finals 🔥

South Africa has reached the penultimate stage #CWC23 👏 pic.twitter.com/dnJQlVhEqX

— ICC (@ICC)
November 4, 2023

Still to play against: India (November 4), Afghanistan (November 9)

3. Scenario of the semi-finals of the World Cup in Australia

The qualifying scenario for Australia is as follows:

Australia’s path to securing a place in the next stage of the tournament is clearly laid out. They have three different paths to qualification. First, they can opt for the safest route by winning both of their remaining matches, collecting a total of 14 points, which would guarantee them passage to the next stage. Alternatively, a win in just one of their remaining games is enough to secure qualification, putting them on 12 points. However, even if they lose both of their remaining matches, Australia can still secure a place in the next round by finishing with a better net score compared to at least two other teams, notably New Zealand, Afghanistan and Pakistan, each of whom would also could end the tournament with 10 points. This contingent qualification rests on the net run rate which emerges as the key determining fact

Still to play against: Afghanistan (November 7), Bangladesh (November 11)

4. World Cup semi-final scenario in New Zealand

The qualifying scenario for New Zealand is as follows:

New Zealand face two alternative routes to secure their qualification for the tournament. The first option involves winning the remaining match, which means they will collect 10 points. However, to guarantee qualification in this scenario, they must finish with a net run rate better than at least one other team that could also reach the 10-point mark. On the other hand, the second way to the qualifications means finishing with a total of eight points. In this case, New Zealand can secure a place in the next stage if they maintain a net run rate better than all other teams who also finish with eight points. This places significant emphasis on net runs as a key factor in determining their progress in the competition.

Still to play against: Sri Lanka (November 9)

5. World Cup semi-final scenario in Pakistan

The qualifying scenario for Pakistanis is as follows:

Pakistan’s path to securing a place in the next phase of the tournament plays out in two different scenarios. Firstly, if Pakistan get a win in their remaining match, resulting in a cumulative 10 points, they can qualify. However, there is a critical caveat: they must finish with a net run rate better than at least two other teams, namely Australia, New Zealand and Afghanistan, each of whom could also collect 10 points in the competition. This highlights the key role that net run rate plays in determining their progression.

Huge win for Pakistan 🎉

Babar Azam’s side are immediately back in the semi-final mix after defeating New Zealand via the DLS method 👀

Read the full match report 📝⬇️#CWC23 #NZvPAKhttps://t.co/T7DFm1pnWH

— ICC (@ICC)
November 4, 2023

Conversely, if Pakistan stumble and lose their final contest against England, their path to qualification becomes more complicated. In this scenario, they will need a substantial increase in their Net Run Rate (NRR) to have any hope of finishing with eight points and securing the coveted top four spot. This circumstance highlights the centrality of NRRs in shaping their qualification prospects, highlighting the need for a comprehensive effort to navigate the complexities of tournament qualification.

Still to play: England (November 11)

7. World Cup semi-final scenario in Afghanistan

The qualification scenario for Afghanistan is as follows:

To ensure safe qualification, Afghanistan must win both of their remaining matches, collecting a total of 12 points. This would guarantee their progress to the next stage.

Alternatively, winning just one of their two remaining matches is a possible route to qualification, provided they finish with 10 points. However, they must maintain a superior net score compared to at least two other teams, notably Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan, each of whom could also end the tournament with 10 points. In this scenario, the net run rate becomes the deciding factor in shaping their chances of qualification.

Still to play against: Netherlands (November 3), Australia (November 7), South Africa (November 10)

7. World Cup semi-final scenario in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s scenario for Afghanistan is as follows:

Sri Lanka are virtually out of semi-final contention, but they must win their two remaining matches, picking up a total of eight points.

At the same time, they should hope that New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan lose their remaining games, which will result in these teams finishing with less than eight points. Additionally, Sri Lanka must maintain a net run rate better than the other teams who also finish with eight points. In this scenario, net run rate becomes the deciding factor for their qualification, underscoring the competitive nature of the tournament as they seek a place in the next stage.

Still to play against: Bangladesh (November 6), New Zealand (November 9)

8. World Cup semi-final scenario in the Netherlands

The qualification scenario for the Netherlands is as follows:

Holland’s path to the semi-finals requires winning two of their remaining games and hoping that New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan lose their remaining games, resulting in these teams finishing with less than eight points. Additionally, Sri Lanka must maintain a net run rate better than the other teams who also finish with eight points.

Still to play against: England (November 8), India (November 12)

9. World Cup semi-final scenario in Bangladesh

Unfortunately for Bangladeshi fans, Bangladesh became the first team to be eliminated from the 2023 World Cup after suffering their sixth defeat against Pakistan. This defeat extinguished their hopes of securing a place in the semi-finals.

10. Scenario of the semifinals of the World Cup in England

The same goes for England who were defeated by Australia in the 36th match of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 by 33 runs. This means that they cannot qualify for the semi-finals of the 2023 ICC World Cup under any scenario.

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Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education