Can Pakistan still qualify for the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup 2023 after New Zealand’s victory over Sri Lanka

New Zealand rolled over Sri Lanka comprehensively in their last league match of the ODI World Cup 2023. The Kiwis won the toss and elected to bowl in slightly overcast conditions in Bengaluru for their bowlers to make the most of the conditions and the Kiwi bowlers didn’t disappoint either.

The New Zealand bowling attack led by Trent Boult and Tim Southee broke the backbone of Sri Lanka's batting by cleaning up their top order cheaply and restricting their total to just 171 runs. The only respite for Sri Lanka was Kusal Perera, who scored a lightning half-century in just 22 balls, and the late fight by the tail-enders Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madhushanka.

New Zealand chased down the target in just 23.2 overs with 5 wickets to spare. Amid all the talks of rain surrounding the match, it looked like the rain gods were considerate to the Kiwis as the match was completed without any rain interruption and New Zealand thumped Sri Lanka in a one-sided affair, jeopardizing Pakistan and Afghanistan’s semi-final hopes.

Is Pakistan’s World Cup dream over?

But the question now lies what are Pakistan’s chances to make it to the semi-finals of the ODI World Cup 2023? Mathematically Pakistan does have a possibility to still make it to the semi-finals but realistically Pakistan is almost out of the ODI World Cup 2023. 

To qualify for the semi-finals of the World Cup 2023, Pakistan will have to beat the defeating World Cup Champions England by 288 runs, in case Pakistan bats first. And if Pakistan bats second then it is even more impossible for Pakistan to chase it down:

• If England scores 50, then Pakistan will have to chase it down in 2 overs.
• If England scores 100, then Pakistan will have to chase it down in 2.5 overs.
• If England scores 150, then Pakistan will have to chase it down in 3.4 overs.
• If England scores 200, then Pakistan will have to chase it down in 4.3 overs.
• If England scores 300, then Pakistan will have to chase it down in 6.1 overs.

So, New Zealand’s one-sided victory over Sri Lanka has almost piped Pakistan and Afghanistan out of the World Cup and their fans will be hoping against hope to turn the tide in their favour with miraculous victories over England and South Africa. Pakistan will face England at the Eden Garden on 11th November, whereas Afghanistan is set to face South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on the 10th of November.