ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan emerged victorious against Bangladesh by seven wickets at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The impressive batting display by Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique led the Green Shirts to this crucial win on October 31, 2023.
Despite this significant victory, Pakistan’s journey to the semi-finals of the World Cup is fraught with challenges. The team must win their remaining matches to keep their semi-final hopes alive. In addition to their performance, Pakistan’s qualification also hinges on the outcomes of other teams’ matches.
The Green Shirts currently have eight points from six games. Ideally, they need New Zealand, their next opponent, to lose their remaining matches. If the Black Caps lose their next three matches, they would end the group stage with eight points, allowing Pakistan to qualify for the knockout stage with ten points, provided they win their next three matches.
The following match results would favor Pakistan’s semi-final qualification:
- Match 32: New Zealand vs South Africa — South Africa win
- Match 33: India vs Sri Lanka — India win
- Match 34: Afghanistan vs Netherlands — Afghanistan win
- Match 35: Pakistan vs New Zealand — Pakistan win
- Match 36: England vs Australia — Australia win
- Match 37: India vs South Africa — India win
- Match 38: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh — Sri Lanka win
- Match 39: Australia vs Afghanistan — Australia win
- Match 40: England vs Netherlands — England win
- Match 41: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka win
- Match 42: South Africa vs Afghanistan — South Africa win
- Match 43: Bangladesh vs Australia — Australia win
- Match 44: Pakistan vs England — Pakistan win
- Match 45: India vs Netherlands — India win
If these results materialize, India would top the group with 18 points, followed by South Africa and Australia with 14 points each. Pakistan, with 10 points, would secure the fourth spot and qualify for the knockout stage.
Pakistan’s remaining World Cup 2023 matches are scheduled as follows:
- November 4 – vs New Zealand in Bengaluru (Day match)
- November 11 – vs England in Kolkata
The day matches will commence at 10:00 am Pakistan Standard Time (PST), while all other matches will be day-night fixtures starting at 01:30 pm (PST).
If Pakistan qualifies for the semi-finals, they will play in Kolkata. However, if India also qualifies and is set to play against Pakistan, the match will take place in Mumbai instead of Kolkata.
As the World Cup progresses, the Green Shirts’ journey towards the semi-finals remains a thrilling spectacle, filled with anticipation and uncertainty.
