World Cup 2023: What are Pakistan's semi-final chances after beating Bangladesh?

Pakistan kept their World Cup semi-final chances alive with the 7-wicket win over Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday. With that, Pakistan still harbour hopes of reaching the last-four in the tournament while Bangladesh have been officially knocked out. Bangladesh are the first team to be ruled out of making the next stage in the competition.

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Pakistan are fifth in the World Cup points table with three wins and four defeats for six points. They have a net run rate (NRR) of -0.024 which places them ahead of Afghanistan in the standings despite both holding six points each.

“Yes. We are trying to win our next two matches and let’s see where we stand,” said captain Babar Azam after a romp over Bangladesh. “We will take a lot of confidence into those matches.”

Fakhar Zaman, a 33-year-old left-hander, was playing only his second match of the tournament after being sidelined with a knee injury. Zaman scored 81 runs in a comfortable chase for Pakistan with 105 balls to spare.

“We were anxiously waiting for this win,” said Zaman.

“Every win in the World Cup boosts the confidence and our aim is to win the remaining two matches. Our target is semi-final.”

We take a look at how Pakistan can make the World Cup semi-finals:

Pakistan can get to a maximum 10 points if they win their remaining two matches – against New Zealand and England – in the World Cup. Even if they do win those matches, Pakistan won’t be safe in making the next round.

Other outcomes

First and foremost, Pakistan need India to beat Sri Lanka when they face off at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. In such a situation, Sri Lanka cannot reach 10 points which means one less opponent to worry about.

They also need Afghanistan to win only one of their three remaining matches against the Netherlands, Australia and South Africa. It will keep them on 8 points. If Afghanistan win two, taking them to 10 points, then it would go down to the net run rate.

That still won’t be enough. South Africa (on 10 points) are two points away from clinching semi-final spot while New Zealand and Australia (on 8 points) need two more wins to go ahead without fuss.

Among them, Pakistan face New Zealand who they must beat to keep themselves in contention. With South Africa vs New Zealand to come on 1 November, Pakistan would want the Proteas to clinch it and then hope the Black Caps lose to Sri Lanka. If New Zealand win of the two encounters against South Africa or Sri Lanka, then they will end with 10 points which would bring things to NRR>

If South Africa lose all their remaining matches, they would be fixed on 10 points giving Pakistan a chance. Australia can also remain rooted on 8 points if they lose the remaining matches against England, Afghanistan and England. However, Pakistan would need Aussies to beat Afghanistan and then lose to England and Bangladesh to go to 10 points, once again brining NRR into consideration.

Matches left to play:

India: vs Sri Lanka, vs South Africa

South Africa: vs New Zealand, vs India vs Afghanistan

New Zealand: vs South Africa, vs Pakistan vs Sri Lanka

Australia: vs England, vs Afghanistan, vs Bangladesh

Pakistan: vs New Zealand, vs England

Afghanistan: vs The Netherlands. vs Australia vs South Africa