LONDON, July 04 (Agencies): The similarities between Pakistan's World Cup campaigns in 1992 and 2019 have ended. England's thumping victory against New Zealand on Wednesday has ensured that Pakistan have been virtually knocked out of the World Cup semifinal race.
England reached the semifinals of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 for the first time since 1992. The hosts have finished 3rd on the World Cup 2019 points table with 12 points from 9 matches.
Hosts England have become the 3rd team after India and Australia to officially make the semi-final stages of the World Cup.
Pakistan can mathematically still qualify for the semifinals if they beat Bangladesh on Friday at Lord's in London by some ridiculously huge margin but the probability of this happening is next to impossible.
The first hurdle for Pakistan will be the toss - win the toss and bat first. Chasing is not an option for Pakistan as then the net run rate differential margin with New Zealand is impossible to achieve batting second.
Pakistan currently stands at the fifth position with nine points and a net run rate of -0.792.
It is pertinent for Pakistan to bat first on Friday because if Sarfaraz Ahmed loses the toss and Bangladesh bat first, Pakistan will be eliminated directly.
Scenarios for Pakistan to qualify
- Beat Bangladesh by 312 runs after scoring 350
- Beat Bangladesh by 316 runs after scoring 400
- Beat Bangladesh by 321 runs after scoring 450
Meanwhile, Kiwis currently stand fourth with 11 points even after massive defeat against England due to their superior net run-rate as compared to Pakistan.
Mathematically, Pakistan are still not out of the World Cup, but nothing short of a miracle can make them steal the semi-final spot from the Kiwis.
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