Revealed: How Pakistan Can Still Qualify For World Cup Semi Final 2023? Pakistan Qualification Scenario Explained

Pakistan are on the verge of getting knocked out of the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. The Men in Green were one of the strong contenders for the title but have failed to live up to the expectations so far.

The Babar Azam-led side began their campaign on a good note. In their opening game, they registered a comfortable 81-run over the Netherlands. In their second game, they pulled off the highest successful chase in the history of the World Cup as they chased down an improbable total of 345 runs against Sri Lanka. But things have gone downhill since then.

Their winning start in the competition came to an end with a crushing 7-wicket loss at the hands of hosts and arch-rivals India. Pakistan were 155 for 2 at one stage in that game before collapsing to 191 all out. It was followed by a 62-run loss against five-time world champions Australia.

And they were in for another huge shock when they faced Afghanistan in their fifth game. While the cricketing fraternity was expecting Pakistan to get back to winning ways against Afghanistan, they ended up losing the game by 8 wickets. Despite posting a competitive total of 282 runs on a tough pitch, the Babar Azam-led side failed to win the game.

Can Pakistan still qualify for the semifinals?

With 3 losses in a row and only 4 points from 5 games, Pakistan’s chances of progressing to the semifinals of the 2023 World Cup are hanging by a thread. But while the chances are really slim, they are still in contention to make it to the semifinal of an ODI World Cup for the first time since 2011.

At present, they are at the fifth spot in the points table with an NRR of -0.4. Firstly, they will have to win all of their remaining 4 games. It would not be an easy task as they are set to face the likes of South Africa, New Zealand, and England in three of the remaining four games.

If they do so, they will have a maximum of 12 points. While 12 points might not be enough to guarantee them a spot in the top four, it will keep them in contention. They need other results to go their way too to advance to the semifinal. They would be hoping that Australia slip up.

Two losses in the remaining four games for Australia would mean they can finish with a maximum of 10 points. And if Pakistan win all of their remaining games, they will finish above Australia which would also take NRR out of the picture. Pakistan will face England in their last league game and with the reigning world champions also eyeing a maximum of 12 points, it could turn out to be a virtual quarterfinal.