How New Zealand, Afghanistan & Pakistan can qualify for the semi-finals

November 9, 2023 at 11:03 AM

New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan remain in the race for the fourth and final place in the knockout stages at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. We look at what each side needs to happen to snatch a semi-final spot.

  • New Zealand

Wins: 4

Losses: 4

Net run rate: +0.398

Still to play: Sri Lanka (9 November)

Path to qualification:

* Win their remaining match to finish on 10 points, and finish with a higher net run rate than the two teams – Pakistan and Afghanistan – that can also finish on 10 points

* Lose their remaining match to finish on eight points, hope Pakistan and Afghanistan both lose their remaining matches, and finish with a higher net run rate than those two teams as well as Netherlands that can also finish on eight points

  • Pakistan

Wins: 4

Losses: 4

Net run rate: +0.036

Still to play: England (11 November)

Path to qualification:

* Win their remaining match to finish on 10 points, and finish with a higher net run rate than the two teams – New Zealand and Afghanistan – that can also finish on 10 points

* Lose their remaining match to finish on eight points, hope New Zealand and Afghanistan both lose their remaining matches, and finish with a higher net run rate than those two teams as well as Netherlands that can also finish on eight points

  • Afghanistan

Wins: 4

Losses: 4

Net run rate: -0.338

Still to play: South Africa (10 November)

Path to qualification:

* Win their remaining match to finish on 10 points, and finish with a higher net run rate than the two teams – New Zealand and Pakistan – that can also finish on 10 points

* Lose their remaining match to finish on eight points, hope New Zealand and Pakistan both lose their remaining matches, and finish with a higher net run rate than those two teams.