The race for the semi-final spots in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 is intense and remains wide open. As of now, two teams have secured their places in the semi-finals: India and South Africa. Australia and New Zealand are currently in the third and fourth positions, respectively, but their qualification is not guaranteed. The remaining teams, namely Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Netherlands, face various pathways and scenarios to secure a spot in the knockout stage.
India is the only undefeated team with eight wins and has already qualified for the semi-finals. South Africa, with six wins and two losses, has also secured their place.
Australia, with five wins and two losses, can secure qualification by winning both of their remaining matches or by winning one match. Even if they lose both matches, they can qualify if they maintain a higher net run rate than at least two of the other teams, including New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
New Zealand, Pakistan, and Afghanistan each have four wins and four losses. They need to win their remaining matches and finish with a higher net run rate than their competitors to secure qualification. If New Zealand loses their remaining match, they must hope that Pakistan and Afghanistan also lose all their remaining matches while maintaining a higher net run rate than them. Netherlands, with two wins, is a mathematical possibility if they win both remaining matches and other results go in their favor.
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and England are virtually out of contention for the semi-finals. It’s a high-stakes battle as these teams compete for a place in the knockout stage, making each remaining match a crucial step in their quest for a semi-final spot.
