Cricket World Cup Top 4: The Sportsrush present before you qualifying scenarios for semi-finals in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
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The ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is into its business end now. With the last week of the league stage upon us, expect getting a clearer picture of the Top Four teams which will qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament.
Among the 10 teams, Australia have already qualified for the semi-finals. On the other hand, South Africa, West Indies, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka have lost the race of staying in contention for the semi-finals.
At this point in time, India and New Zealand seem to be in full likeliness of qualifying for the Top Four without much discomfort. It will take a serious upset from either of the teams to not qualify for the semi-finals.
As far as the last spot is concerned, it is expected to be a tough fight between Pakistan, England and Bangladesh. While hosts England are more likely of making the cut after beating India by 31 runs yesterday, they will unequivocally face a stiff competition from the other teams.
Cricket World Cup Top 4
India
With five wins and a loss in seven matches, India are currently at No. 2 on the points table. The only near-impossible manner in which India can’t qualify for the semi-finals is if they lose both their matches terribly and the winner of Bangladesh vs Pakistan registers a thumping victory.
Since India have two more matches to go, they will be eyeing a top of the table finish by winning against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
New Zealand
With five wins and two losses in eight matches, New Zealand are currently at No. 3 on the points table. New Zealand’s last match against England is one of the most looked-forwarded matches of the league stage.
Pakistan wanted India to win, just like India wanted Pakistan to win in the Champions Trophy 2009. Both didn’t happen. PAK lost then and IND lost today. It is sports. Teams play for themselves not for others. So, stop digging conspiracy theories. #CWC19
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 30, 2019
A victory against England will confirm New Zealand’s participation in the semi-finals. If they lose the same, they will be hoping for their healthy NRR coming to their rescue.
Pakistan
With four wins and three losses in eight matches, Pakistan are currently at No. 5 on the points table. Scheduled to play Bangladesh on Friday, Pakistan need to win that match. Pakistan’s best chance lies in New Zealand beating England before their encounter. If England beat New Zealand, Pakistan’s paltry chances will depend on their NRR which at this point in time is quite low.
England
With five wins and three losses in eight matches, England are currently at No. 4 on the points table. Having defeated India, England now need to defeat New Zealand as well. Slated to play on Wednesday at Chester-le-Street, the match will be nothing short of a quarter-final for the hosts.
If England lose against New Zealand, they would be hopeful of India beating Bangladesh and Bangladesh beating Pakistan so that they qualify at the fourth position.
Bangladesh
With three wins and three losses in seven matches, Bangladesh are currently at No. 6 on the points table. With matches against India and Pakistan, Bangladesh will have to play even better than their praiseworthy performances in the tournament so far.
If Bangladesh lose to India tomorrow, it will be the end of the tournament for them. If they manage to defeat India, their scenario will be equal to Pakistan’s scenario. They will be then hoping for New Zealand to beat England. If that doesn’t happen, things will come down to NRR.
