- Pakistan at fifth spot on points table with nine points and net run-rate of -0.792
- New Zealand set to qualify for semis unless Pakistan beat Bangladesh by near-impossible margin
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan are all but out of the race for a spot in the top four teams of the ICC World Cup 2019 as England crushed New Zealand by 119 runs on Wednesday to reach the semifinals for the first time since 1992.
Pakistan are at the fifth spot on the points table with nine points and a net run-rate of -0.792. On Friday, they will play their last group game against Bangladesh at Lord’s and would need to win by at least 316 runs to qualify for the semifinals. Anything short of this margin will see New Zealand, with a much superior net run-rate, sail through to the semis.
A seven-wicket defeat against West Indies in Pakistan’s opening game of the tournament seriously dented their run-rate.
The green shirts initially won just one of their first five World Cup matches but bounced back strongly with victories against South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan to give themselves a shot at reaching the semifinals.
Last week, a win against Afghanistan, their third consecutive victory, lifted Pakistan into fourth place in the 10-team table, above hosts England.
Had England been defeated in both of their last two matches, against India and New Zealand, Pakistan would have almost certainly made the semifinals. England won both matches.
The top four teams currently are Australia, India, England, and New Zealand. England will now play their semifinal at Edgbaston next Thursday against either India or Australia.