World Cup 2023: Pakistan's journey hangs in balance; A look at team's chances in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023
PTC Web Desk: As the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 enters its second phase, Pakistan finds itself in a precarious position. Despite a strong start, the 1992 champions have struggled for consistency, casting doubt on their future in the tournament.
Their campaign began on a high note with a win against the Netherlands in Hyderabad, followed by an impressive World Cup-record run chase against Sri Lanka at the same venue. However, their fortunes took a turn for the worse when they faced hosts India in Ahmedabad, where a subpar batting performance led to a seven-wicket defeat. Their woes continued with a heavy defeat at the hands of Australia, highlighted by centuries from David Warner and Mitchell Marsh in Bengaluru. This was followed by an unexpected loss to Afghanistan, marking the first time the Afghan team secured an ODI victory against Pakistan in Chennai.
A subsequent one-wicket loss to South Africa in Chennai further compounded Pakistan's woes. Nevertheless, one silver lining is that their net run rate remains relatively stable, despite a string of four consecutive defeats, currently standing at -0.387.
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With three matches left to play, Pakistan still has a slim chance of reaching the semi-finals, but they'll need assistance from other teams. Their upcoming matches include a face-off with Bangladesh in Kolkata, followed by encounters with New Zealand and England.
Currently, India and South Africa have established a considerable lead in the competition, leaving the third and fourth positions open, which are currently held by New Zealand and Australia. Sri Lanka, with the same four points as Pakistan but one additional game to play, is just behind them.
Several scenarios shape Pakistan's prospects
If Pakistan wins their next three matches, they'll secure five wins and 10 points, positioning them well for a semi-final spot. However, they'll also need other teams, such as Australia and Sri Lanka, to face defeats to bolster their chances.
If Pakistan manages to win two out of their remaining three matches, they'll have four wins and 8 points. In this case, they'll need Australia and New Zealand to face losses, along with Sri Lanka losing two of their upcoming matches. The net run rate may come into play to determine the qualifier.
Winning only one out of their three remaining matches would give Pakistan 3 wins and 6 points, making their semi-final prospects bleak.
If Pakistan loses all three remaining matches, they'll end up with 2 wins and 4 points, effectively eliminating them from the competition.
Pakistan's journey in the World Cup hangs in the balance, and they face an uphill battle to secure a spot in the semi-finals. Their fate remains uncertain as they navigate the challenges of the tournament's second half.
- With inputs from agencies
