ICC CWC’19: Here are the teams that could play versus India in the World Cup semis

Mumbai: With the three semi-final spots already booked, Australia, India and England are in the process of finalising their line-up for the semis. However, the fourth semi-finalist is yet to be confirmed fully, depending on the match between Bangladesh and Pakistan. But, still we can say that Pakistan is officially out of the semis, especially after England’s emphatic 119-runs win over New Zealand.

New Zealand who are placed at fourth with 11 points have a superior run-rate of 0.175, on the other hand Pakistan are lagging behind the kiwis in terms of run-rate. Pakistan hold a (-ve) net run-rate of 0.792, majorly due to their embarrassing defeat against West Indies.

Pakistan can topple New Zealand only if they are able to fulfil these conditions

1. Score 308 runs, bowl out Bangladesh by 308 runs
2. Score 350 runs, bowl out Bangladesh by 312 runs
3. Score 400 runs, bowl out Bangladesh by 316 runs
4. Score 450 runs, bowl out Bangladesh by 321 runs

Meanwhile, hosts England, who’ve booked the third spot for the semis, must end with 12 points. Moreover, they also can’t not finish higher or lower than India as all their group matches have ended. Currently, Australia tops the points table with 14 points, while India remain at second with 13 points. India will look to avoid England who are currently pummelling the opponents by a huge margin.

As per ICC’s World Cup schedule, the team that ranks first will play the fourth team, which probably may be New Zealand, while the second placed team will play against the third team which is England. The final rankings will be decided by the Australia versus South Africa match and the India versus Sri Lanka match.

India’s current objective is to top the points table with a win in the last group stage match against Sri Lanka, and hope that Australia lose the last World Cup group stage match versus the South Africans who are already out of the tournament.

Moreover, even if Australia lose against the Proteas, the Men in Blue must ensure that they win against the Lankan side by a huge margin as that would increase their net run-rate. The net run-rate would eventually help India to leapfrog Australia and claim the first place.  

Meanwhile, if rain intervenes in India and Australia’s match, then that would have no effect on the points table. If India end up as first they will in Manchester on July 9, but if they stay second then they will play at Edgbaston against England on July 11.