ODI World Cup 2023: Here's how India can face Pakistan in the semi-finals. Check complete scenario

The fourth-placed team will face India in the semi-finals, raising the tantalizing possibility of an India versus Pakistan show in this high-stakes tournament.

ODI World Cup 2023: Here's how India can face Pakistan in the semi-finals. Check complete scenario

As the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 enters its critical phase, a potential matchup between India and Pakistan grows ever closer. In the points standings, India and South Africa have already qualified for the semi-finals by occupying the top two positions. In contrast, Australia have yet to secure a spot in the semi-finals; however, they possess two forthcoming matches against Afghanistan and Bangladesh in which they can attempt to do so. With a victory in either match, Australia will secure a position in the top three of the league standings.

Three teams compete in the fierce contest for the fourth and ultimate semi-final position: Afghanistan, Pakistan, and New Zealand. Although Sri Lanka and the Netherlands remain mathematically viable, they encounter exceedingly improbable odds. The fourth-placed team will advance to the semi-finals, where they will face India. This creates an intriguing opportunity for a confrontation between India and Pakistan in this tournament of significant importance.

If New Zealand were to suffer a loss to Sri Lanka and Pakistan were to triumph over England, Pakistan's point total would increase to ten, surpassing New Zealand's eight. Pakistan would additionally require Australia and South Africa to emerge victorious against Afghanistan, thereby impeding their progress towards the ten-point milestone, in order to fortify their stance. This situation heightens the level of competition for the fourth position and contributes to the growing anticipation surrounding a possible match between India and Pakistan.

IND vs PAK ODI World Cup 2023 Semi Finals: Case III

Should New Zealand emerge victorious against Sri Lanka and Pakistan triumph over England, while both Afghanistan matches conclude in defeat, the net run rate between Pakistan and New Zealand will determine the competition for the fourth semi-final spot. In order to surpass the net run rate of New Zealand, Pakistan must compute the margin of victory in its match against England. However, Afghanistan would earn ten points if they were to triumph in at least one of their remaining two encounters. Notwithstanding this, they are presently positioned third in the race for the fourth berth, as determined by their negative net run rate (-0.330).

IND vs PAK ODI World Cup 2023 Semi Finals: Case III

In the event that rain cancels New Zealand's championship match against Sri Lanka and Pakistan triumphs over England, both teams will accumulate ten points. Moreover, ten points will be accumulated by Afghanistan for each victory they sustain. Under these conditions, the semi-final qualifiers will be determined by the net run rate (NRR). However, in the event that both Pakistan and New Zealand's final matches are impacted by rain, the former would progress to the semi-finals on account of their higher NRR.H