India vs Pakistan, ICC World Cup 2023: India were impressive in the ICC World Cup 2023 as the Rohit Sharma-led team finished at the top of the points table. South Africa and Australia occupy second and third places, while New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan will battle for the last place in the semi-finals. As the semi-final between South Africa and Australia approaches, the suspense remains for India’s potential opponent, and it is clear that the Indians’ heart desires for Pakistan to be our biggest rival.
The numbers on the points table show that this is very possible as Pakistan have managed to pick up some wins in their last few matches. The team has suffered from poor form throughout the 2023 FIFA World Cup, but needs some guts and a bit of luck to secure a match against India in the semi-finals.
India vs Pakistan World Cup semi-final match
A look at the points table says it all, with New Zealand currently sitting in 4th place with 8 points and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +0.398. Pakistan is in 5th place with 8 points and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +0.036 and Afghanistan is in 6th place with 8 points and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of -0.338.
New Zealand will play their final league match against Sri Lanka on Thursday and winning that match will be crucial for the team. If the New Zealanders beat Sri Lanka, the Kane Williamson-led team will increase their chances of entering the World Cup semi-finals as they have the best net run rate among the competitors.
If New Zealand beats Sri Lanka, the likelihood of an exciting match between India and Pakistan will be reduced to near zero levels as Pakistan needs a comprehensive win in their last match against England. The defending champions have not been great at the World Cup, but their match against the Netherlands shows that they have not lost their enthusiasm and that it is very difficult to get a big win against them.
Afghanistan will have to hope that both New Zealand and Pakistan lose their final league matches, while somehow managing to win their final league match against South Africa. The way Afghanistan performed in the ICC World Cup 2023, it would not be a surprise if they defeat the giants Proteas.
One of the other reasons why Indian fans want Pakistan in the semi-finals is that in the ICC World Cup 2019, it was the New Zealander who beat us in the semi-finals and had that thrilling final against England. MS Dhoni’s catch off Martin Guptill’s brilliant catch broke over a billion hearts that day.
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Updated: 08 November 2023, 10:41 PM IST
