What will it take to reach the World Cup semifinals this year?

AFP Published July 2, 2019

If two sides are level on points at the end of the group stage, the one that has won more games goes through. — ICC

Reigning champions Australia are already guaranteed a place in the World Cup semifinals while Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies and Afghanistan cannot make it out of the 10-team round-robin phase.

That leaves India, New Zealand, England, Pakistan and Bangladesh all still vying for a place alongside Australia in the last four.

Teams receive two points for a win and one point for a tie or no-result washout.

If two sides are level on points at the end of the group stage, the one that has won more games goes through.

If they remain level, the side with the superior net run-rate advances. In the unlikely event they still cannot be separated, then the result of their match against each other will be a tie-breaker.

AFP Sport looks at what needs to happen for each of those sides if they are to qualify for the knockout phase

India — second, 11 points

Remaining pool matches:

Jul 2: v Bangladesh
Jul 6: v Sri Lanka

India need to win one of their two remaining group games to be certain of reaching a third successive World Cup semi-final.

Even if Virat Kohli's side lose both of their matches, they should still advance on net run-rate.

New Zealand — third, 11 points

Remaining pool matches:

Jul 3: v England

Victory over the tournament hosts would send the 2015 losing finalists into the last four again.

Even if they are joined by either Pakistan or Bangladesh on 11 points, New Zealand's likely superior net run-rate should still see them through.

England — fourth, 10 points

Remaining pool matches:

Jul 3: v New Zealand

A win over New Zealand would see the tournament hosts into the knockout phase.

But if they lose, England would be dependent on other results.

If Pakistan fail to beat Bangladesh and Bangladesh fail to win both of their remaining matches -- against India and Pakistan -- the host nation would qualify.

Pakistan — fifth, 9 points

Remaining pool matches:

Jul 5: v Bangladesh

Pakistan need to beat Bangladesh and hope England have already lost to New Zealand if they are to qualify for the semi-finals

Bangladesh — seventh, 7 points

Remaining pool matches:

Jul 2: v India
Jul 5: v Pakistan

Bangladesh need to win both of their remaining matches and hope New Zealand beat England if they are to go through.

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M. Saeed

Jul 02, 2019 01:02pm

All the top 6 teams at this stage are virtual champions, having defeated others between them

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Thukbu

Jul 02, 2019 01:15pm

Pakistan will make into the semis

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Abhijit Deshpande

Jul 02, 2019 01:17pm

England's scenario - If Pakistan fail to beat Bangladesh and Bangladesh fail to win both of their remaining matches -- against India and Pakistan -- the host nation would qualify. How is this possible? Does that mean England is eliminated?

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BD Mukul

Jul 02, 2019 01:44pm

My question is, in the above photo, where the trophy is? In front of Kohli or Sarfaraz? Semifinal equation has also become difficult like this. Lot of "if - but" need to meet.

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Dr Kabutaruddin, Mumbai

Jul 02, 2019 01:55pm

So essentially NZ will have to loose against England to keep both Asians out of semis.

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JusticE

Jul 02, 2019 02:55pm

Aus, Ind, Pak, Ban and Eng is sitting comfortably on that sofa......so I suppose NZ will loose against England by a big margin and then either Ban or Pak will qualify it by beating each other with more than 100-150 margin.

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Shoaib,Srinagar,Indian Kashmiri

Jul 02, 2019 03:02pm

Well played Afghanistan.Pakistan should start preparing very well for 2023.

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Zunaira

Jul 02, 2019 03:18pm

"If Pakistan fail to beat Bangladesh and Bangladesh fail to win both of their remaining matches -- against India and Pakistan -- the host nation would qualify." How in the world is this possible? Pakistan fail to Beat Bangladesh also Bangladesh fails against Pakistan. Writer has gone nuts while calculating.

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Vinay

Jul 02, 2019 03:47pm

The case of England seems impossible: If Pakistan fail to beat Bangladesh and Bangladesh fail to win both of their remaining matches -- against India and Pakistan -- the host nation would qualify. So Pakistan fails to beat Bangladesh AND Bangladesh fails to beat pakistan! Do you mean there should be a tie?

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Ravi - Pune-India

Jul 02, 2019 03:55pm

Semifinals India vs NZ Australia vs ?? Final Australia vs India WC Winner: India

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Has

Jul 02, 2019 03:58pm

All it will take to get to final is a call to the Queen to tell her that this Commonwealth Colony (ie Pak) of Hers will help her after Brexit !

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Biranchi Acharya

Jul 02, 2019 04:53pm

I believe Australia, India, England and New Zealand will enter the semi-final. If England fails to win the match against NZ, then Pakistan will enter as it will surely defeat Bangladesh.

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arfan aslam

Jul 02, 2019 05:01pm

These dirty Indian players played a very dirty game,the WHOLE team including management planned to lose this match so Pakistan do not qualify for the semi final.What a dirty players are,I just hope the players know what whole world think of them.Shameon them.

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Pakistani in New Zealand

Jul 02, 2019 05:20pm

@Shoaib,Srinagar,Indian Kashmiri, India needs to do the same as they too luckily won against Afghanistan when the bowler Shami took the hatrick by fluke.

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Gaur

Jul 02, 2019 06:29pm

@Pakistani in New Zealand , ' hat-trick by fluke' ! Still better than your Imad Wasim who was plumb out on 1 but saved by Umpire.

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Ahmad Ibrahim

Jul 02, 2019 06:29pm

Prayers and prayers only :)

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Samrat

Jul 02, 2019 06:30pm

@Pakistani in New Zealand , umpire helped Pakistan against Afghanistan, else it was easy win for Afghans.

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Leo

Jul 02, 2019 06:31pm

@Pakistani in New Zealand , fluke is how Pakistan won against ENG and NZ. Even against AFG you'd have lost if not for the biased umpires.

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Sam

Jul 02, 2019 06:31pm

This world cup has been one of the best due to its format, despite losing couple of important matches Pakistan is still in the contention. To retain the interest of viewers this should be made the permanent format of world cup. New Zealand has always performed exceptionally well in world cup, the chances of them beating English team is high, I would rather request team Pakistan to forget about others and focus on their game.

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Shastra

Jul 02, 2019 06:36pm

@arfan aslam, the world think Indians are far better than spot fixers Pakistanis.

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Shastra

Jul 02, 2019 06:36pm

@Pakistani in New Zealand , fluke is how Pakistan won '92 WC. The biggest fluke in cricketing history.

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Ahmed

Jul 02, 2019 07:43pm

I think technically there is one more scenario for Pakistan to reach semi though it is out of this world scenario and that is England beat NZ by a ridiculous margin and Pakistan beat BD by a ridiculous margin to to so that Pak's Run-rate is better than NZ. I know I know but I already said it is out of this world scenario.

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Rihunlang Suting

Jul 02, 2019 07:47pm

Use ur influence n buy tickets ...... for both Ind vs Eng and Aus vs NZ semis......

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Rao

Jul 02, 2019 07:51pm

Pakistan will be eliminated, Waqar Younis dreams will go down the drain. Such an inconsistent team in semifinals...impossible

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rauf

Jul 02, 2019 09:32pm

Pakistan is in final four or not, does not matter. Final is between Australia and India. Pakistani team needs huge changes with better, reliable openers. Its not a world class team.

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Mian

Jul 02, 2019 09:35pm

Domestic cricket should be rebuilt in Pakistan with a focus on winning 2027 WC.

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Kris

Jul 02, 2019 09:47pm

"If Pakistan fail to beat Bangladesh and Bangladesh fail to win both of their remaining matches -- against India and Pakistan -- the host nation would qualify." That statement doesn't compute.

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Ahmed

Jul 02, 2019 09:47pm

To all my friends from India. Ok so Pakistan won 1992 World cup by fluke and it won matches again NZ and England by fluke and if Pakistan makes it into semi it would be a fluke. Also, it beat India in Champions Trophy by flukes of all flukes. I hope that makes you happy coming from Pakistan fan. I hope Pakistan makes into semis by fluke and I wish all the best to India in their quest for another world cup.

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Yash

Jul 02, 2019 10:14pm

@Zunaira, Very true. I think he is confused.

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Yash

Jul 02, 2019 10:16pm

@arfan aslam, Indians are not playing to loose any game. If your team has failed to perform, please don’t blame others.

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Majnu786

Jul 02, 2019 10:53pm

Bangladesh scenario has ended. India defeated Bangladesh to qualify for Semi Final. Now it's in India's hand (their final league match against SL) whether they want to play NZ or England in Semis. One thing for sure if AU's reaches finals, they are literally unstoppable. Sorry Pakistan fans, winning these many matches is a great achievement for the team and I doubt whether Pakistan can continue their winning run even against a good side like Bangladesh.

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Syv

Jul 02, 2019 10:59pm

@arfan aslam, shame on those who cannot qualify on their own.

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Googlie

Jul 02, 2019 11:23pm

Looking at the picture, one wonders: (1) Why Indian captain is covering his face? (2) Why Australian captain has placed his feet on sofa? (3) Why West Indian captain is almost pushed out of picture and standing in front of dark portion of wall (real bad composition)?

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Dawn

Jul 02, 2019 11:23pm

It will take more than 9 points. Quite a bit more.

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KAUSHAL

Jul 02, 2019 11:26pm

England will win against New Zealand and New Zealand will get into to semis on net run rate. Pakistan have to wait for next world cup.

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Will

Jul 02, 2019 11:32pm

@Abhijit Deshpande, If Pakistan does not win against Bangladesh, England will qualify for the semi-final. Bangladesh will plat their last game against Pakistan. Prior to the Bangladesh-India match, Bangladesh only had 2 matches left to play.

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KAUSHAL

Jul 02, 2019 11:33pm

Pakistan has to accept that era of 90s already gone. World cricket has changed significantly. This is a generation of much superior techniques, fitness, speed and intelligence. Current Pakistan team is very much lacking behind on each parameter. Next four years they have to work on aforesaid points.

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Just Saying

Jul 02, 2019 11:50pm

@Biranchi Acharya, Pakistan has lost the last 5 one day games it has played against Bangladesh.

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RAHUL K JAISWAL

Jul 03, 2019 12:41am

@arfan aslam, It's called Tactical Loss! In another word 'Surgical Strike'...!!

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IMTIAZ

Jul 03, 2019 01:50am

After defeat by India, BD is eliminated. Pakistan stands 5th and will remain 5th.

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cricketlover

Jul 03, 2019 01:56am

Hanging by the thread is Pakistan, alongside England, whom they beat earlier. How weird to see this scenario that the losers (Eng) will make it to the semis and not the winners (Pak)! That's something this game of cricket is so notorious for.

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Sheikh

Jul 03, 2019 02:04am

They Pak r themselves to b blamed... I don’t know why they were so dependent on others... They should have finished the Afg game in 40 overs or less n improved there run rate... Now Pak n NZ will finish at 11 points each n NZ will go in on better ran rate.. unless we defeat Bangladesh with a BIG margin...

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Shehryar

Jul 03, 2019 02:29am

@Shastra, Yes and same flukes have a better head to head record against India in all formats of the game. How do you explain that

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Tariq

Jul 03, 2019 05:05am

It”s very simple, Eng beat NZ, end game for Pakistan. The match between BD v Pak will decide who will finish 5 and 6 place.

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Tariq

Jul 03, 2019 05:12am

@arfan aslam, Why is it India’s fault? Pakistan make their on destiny not rely on India or other team. Too many nincompoops out there with this ridiculous conspiracy theory.

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Yankee Cricket Fan

Jul 03, 2019 05:24am

@rauf, Disagree, NZ and Eng have just as good a chance of making it into the final. Don't assume anything.

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Bwood

Jul 03, 2019 05:37am

Australia and India are thru at this stage. My gut feel says something is due to happen. May be NZ beat Eng and Pak beat BD. I am not sure. Yeh picture abhi baki hai doston!!!!

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Karma from Texas

Jul 03, 2019 05:51am

To all the Indian commenters: Read my words... NZ vs ENG = NZ Semi: Pak vs Aus = Pak India vs NZ = India Final: Pak vs India= Pakistan. This is a curse result of what Dhoni did in England's game to diss Pakistan.

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interesting

Jul 03, 2019 06:20am

if this Pakistan team performance was by any other team we would all be saying they dont deserve to be in semi finals. WI thrashed us by a massive margin and thats the only game they won , we should be competing for the bottom place actually .

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Marvel

Jul 03, 2019 06:24am

Demand for calculators soared in Pakistan only next to TV sets.

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Kris

Jul 03, 2019 07:08am

Aus vs Pak Ind vs NZ Ind vs Pak final and Pak will prevail this time.

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Ganz

Jul 03, 2019 08:20am

@Biranchi Acharya, Pak will win only if Bangladesh gives up its match. Bangladesh are a better team than Pakistan . Look at they way they chased India's total yesterday

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Rahul

Jul 03, 2019 08:33am

@Shastra, *"fluke is how Pakistan won '92 WC. The biggest fluke in cricketing history"* Not to forget CT17.

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Lone star

Jul 03, 2019 08:55am

Only prayers and miracle.

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Lilly

Jul 03, 2019 10:41am

@Zunaira, May be a washed out match.

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Mike

Jul 03, 2019 10:59am

Every country wants to win the World Cup, which is fine, but why Pakistan is so obssessed about winning the Cup. I don't see this kind of hype in other countries. Any reason?

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ajab singh

Jul 03, 2019 11:34am

@arfan aslam, We planned well too defeat you also

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mkb

Jul 03, 2019 12:50pm

India already reached Semis by beating Bangladesh.

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DMK

Jul 03, 2019 03:02pm

@Abhijit Deshpande, A Win is 2 points.England has 10 points,Pakistan has 9.If England were to lose their match against New Zealand,then their qualification would depend upon the result of Pak v Ban.

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usr

Jul 03, 2019 03:35pm

@arfan aslam, You are giving too much credit to Indian team management. They failed to judge the playing conditions for match against England. With small field, spinners do not succeed. England had one and India had two spinners. Indian spinners were very costly and did not take many wickets. In the next game at same location, India dropped one spinner and still almost lost to Bangladesh.

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usr

Jul 03, 2019 03:38pm

@Rao, It is cricket. Anything is possible.

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usr

Jul 03, 2019 03:39pm

@Kris, May your dream come through. Although over billion Indians have different dream.

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Jul 03, 2019 06:48pm

@arfan aslam, So you accept that India is unbeatable. Why bother then, you had no chance anyways.

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datla satyadevi

Jul 03, 2019 06:50pm

@arfan aslam, men plays tough cricket,no quarter asked,none given,only kids blame others for their down fall.

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Dinesh

Jul 03, 2019 07:34pm

@arfan aslam, thanks for believing that India can beat any team, that the only reason for losing was to keep Pakistan out.

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Sid

Jul 03, 2019 08:13pm

@Shastra, Very true. That's why it can't be replicated.

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Murty NVS

Jul 03, 2019 11:24pm

Gone!!! all chances are out for PAK in 2019. Good luck for 2023. 1. PAK must win the TOSS against BD and elect to BAT. 2. Score 312 runs batting first and Bowl OUT Bangladesh for 0 3. If BD wins the TOSS and elects to BAT- and PAK is OUT automatically Plain and simple.

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