ISLAMABAD 24 Oct (Online): Pakistan’s chances of making the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup are on a knife-edge after their eight-wicket defeat to Afghanistan.
It was the team’s third successive loss at the tournament after two opening wins, leaving them with four points from five matches and in fifth position.
India, with ten points from five wins, seems well on its way to qualification.
If New Zealand wins two of their remaining four matches, Pakistan would have to win all of theirs and rely on net run rate.
Pakistan’s maximum possible points can now be 12, and South Africa could pose a threat with a strong net run rate.
Realistically, Pakistan is in a race with Australia for the fourth qualifying position. If Australia loses only one match from their remaining games, the equation would come down to net run rate, where Pakistan’s best chance is to win matches by significant margins.
Considering all these scenarios, Pakistan faces a challenging task, and winning all their matches seems imperative to keep their hopes of qualifying alive.
Pakistan must also hope for losses from teams above them and maintain a focus on net run rate.
Pakistan’s path to qualification involves winning all matches, relying on results above them, and closely monitoring net run rates.
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