World Cup 2023: Pakistan Suffered a Heartbreaking Loss to South Africa; Pakistan Still Remain Alive in Semifinals Race- Details Here
Pakistan suffered their fourth defeat of the 2023 World Cup, losing a thriller by one wicket against South Africa at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai today (October 27). However, they are not yet technically out of the World Cup.
Pakistan were undone by the table-toppers South Africa in what turned out to be a blockbuster game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday. The Babar Azam & Co. started their ICC World Cup 2023 campaign on a winning note, defeating Netherlands in the tournament opener and followed it up with a second consecutive win over Sri Lanka.
Since then there has only been disappointment in the Pakistan camp. The Men in Green were served their first defeat at the hands of dominant India. Australia quickly followed suit. Pakistan were perhaps hurt the most when Afghanistan demolished the former in a comfortable and comprehensive run chase.
Friday furthered the misery when Pakistan were handed their fourth consecutive defeat in the World Cup by South Africa as the Proteas kept their nerves in the nail-biting chase, reaching the target of 271 just barely and with one wicket in hand.
Despite best efforts put forth by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf in the tail-end, Aiden Markram’s 91 turned out to be instrumental in the run chase as South Africa brought up their fifth victory, claiming the #1 spot and bettering India on the points table. South Africa’s scorecard read 271/9 in 47.2 overs.
World Cup 2023: Pakistan Suffered a Heartbreaking Loss to South Africa; Pakistan Still Remain Alive in Semifinals Race- Details Here
World Cup 2023: Despite the defeat, Pakistan are not entirely out of the race to the top 4.
South Africa overtook India to the top of the World Cup 2023 points table, taking their tally to 10 points from 6 matches. India, who face struggling England on Sunday, have a game in hand over the team above.
New Zealand are at the 3rd spot with 8 points while Australia are clinging on to the top 4 with 6 points.
Sri Lanka have the best realistic chance among the bottom six to make it to the top 4 but the World Cup semi-finals race is not as done as it looks at the moment. Afghanistan also have an outside chance but they face stiff tests in the upcoming games.
Pakistan don’t have destiny in their own hands and have to rely (heavily) on other results to sneak through. Firstly, Pakistan have to pick themselves up and try to find a way to stop the losing run.
Here’s how Pakistan can qualify for the World Cup 2023 semi-final.
First things first, Pakistan need to win their remaining 3 matches and win them big a big margin to stay ahead of the Net Run Rate battle.
PAKISTAN’S SCHEDULE
- Vs Bangladesh in Kolkata on Tuesday, October 31
- vs New Zealand in Bengaluru on Saturday, November 4
- vs England in Kolkata on Saturday, November 11
Pakistan, much like the other contenders in the bottom half of the table, would want either of New Zealand or Australia to slip.
Pakistan can qualify if
Australia lose 3 of their next 4 matches. In an ideal situation for Pakistn, Australia beat New Zealand and lose their remaining three matches.
Australia will then end up with only 8 points and Pakistan will have 10 points.
Australia losing 2 of their next 4 matches also opens up a possibility, but Pakistan have to then rely on Net Run Rate to go through.
AUSTRALIA’S REMAINING FIXTURES
- vs New Zealand on Saturday, October 28 in Dharamsala
- vs England on Saturday, November 4 in Ahmedabad
- vs Afghanistan on Tuesday, November 7 in Mumbai
- vs Bangladesh on Saturday, November 11 in Pune
Pakistan can also qualify if
New Zealand lose all their remaining matches and Sri Lanka and Afghanistan lose at least 2 of their next 4 matches.
Pakistan have an opportunity to hurt new Zealand’s chances when the two sides meet on November 4, provided New Zealand don’t win both their upcoming matches.
New Zealand will then have only 8 points and Pakistan can finish with 10 points.
In case of a 10-point tie with New Zealand, Pakistan need several results to go their way and a big Net Run Rate boost.
New Zealand’s Remaining Fixtures
- vs Australia on Saturday, October 28 in Dharamsala
- vs South Africa on Wednesday, November 1 in Pune
- vs Pakistan on Saturday, November 4 in Bengaluru
- vs Sri Lanka on Thursday, November 9 in Bengaluru
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In fact, mathematically, teams can still make it to the top four with just four wins and eight points, meaning Pakistan might technically afford to lose one more game and still qualify for the semi-finals, just like England can.
(With inputs from agencies)