World Cup 2023 Semifinal Qualification Scenarios: India 1st Team to Seal SF Spot, Race Wide Open For Remaining Three

India became the first team to seal a spot in the semifinal for the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 as they trashed Sri Lanka by 302 runs on Thursday at Wankhede Stadium. It was another clinical performance from India as Sri Lanka just failed to match the intensity. India are the only unbeaten side in the World Cup with seven wins in a row as they also have a good NRR – +2.102.

Meanwhile, the race is wide open for the remaining three spots as only Bangladesh are officially eliminated from the race.

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Here’s a look at the semi-final qualification scenarios for all the teams:

India

India have already qualified for the semifinals.

South Africa

The Proteas have to win one out of their remaining two matches to seal a spot in the next round of the tournament. They face India and Afghanistan next.

Australia

Australia have three matches left in the tournament and for a seamless entry, they have to win all three matches. They face England, Afghanistan and Bangladesh next. Considering England and Bangladesh’s form, Australia will enter as clear favourites but the match against Afghanistan can turn out to be a tricky one for them as they have been in good form this tourney.

If they lose any one of the games or even two, it will come down to run-rate and if New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan manage to win one or more of their games, then it will be a four-way tie for the remaining two spots for the semi-final.

New Zealand

The Kiwis started the tournament on a high but now they are in a tricky position to qualify for the semifinals. They have to beat Pakistan and Afghanistan to get a clear entry into the last four. However, one loss means the Kiwis will get into a scrum with the likes of Pakistan, and Afghanistan for a superior run rate. Still, NZ are placed well due to a far better run rate.

Pakistan

Babar Azam and Co. have bounced back well with a big win over Bangladesh but they still have a tough path to get into the semifinals. Not only will Pakistan have to win both their remaining games – vs New Zealand and England, they will hope Australia lose all their remaining three games, New Zealand their two games and Afghanistan at least one of their remaining three. If all these things happen, then Pakistan will be on level with them with 10 points and it will come down to the run rate.

Afghanistan

For starters, Afghanistan have an outside chance to make the semis. Win all of their three games and they can go up to 12 points and then the run-rate equation will come into play. But even if Afghanistan wins one of their games, some favourable results and a run rate better than Australia and New Zealand could see the Asian team make the last four.

Sri Lanka

Despite a crushing defeat against India, Sri Lanka can still mathematically make it to the last four if they win their last two matches. For them to reach the semis, New Zealand and Australia have to lose all of their remaining games – or at least one team does. They will also have to keep an eye on Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands and hope they do not win more than one of their remaining games.

Netherlands

On 4 points, they can go up to 10 points by winning all of their remaining games and then they can force themselves into the conversation of run-rates with the likes of Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. But for that, they will hope Australia and New Zealand lose their remaining fixtures alongside the others. However, the Dutch have a tough task ahead with three strong opponents in the line-up – Afghanistan, England and India.

Bangladesh

Can not qualify for the semis.

England

England will have to win all of their remaining three games with big margins and hope New Zealand and Australia lose all of their remaining games – or at least one team does. They will also have an eye on Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands and hope they do not win more than one of their remaining games. That way most teams will be on eight points as England and then run-rate comes into the equation.