ODI World Cup 2023: Which are the probable semifinal opponents for Team India?
Team India (Source: Twitter)
With the ODI World Cup 2023 just about to reach its climax stages With three teams qualifying for the knockout matches, there has been a lot of chatter going on about who will be the fourth team to qualify for the semi-finals. Among the top contenders of New Zealand and Pakistan.
Notably, the table topper of the ODI World Cup 2023 points table will face the competing nation who will finish fourth on the points table in the first semi-final match, whereas the second and third position holders on the points table will face each other in the second semi-final match.
With 16 points on the table of the ODI World Cup 2023, the Indian cricket team had become the first team to be qualified for the semifinals of the tournament and will finish the table in the number one position considering they are the only team in the tournament who have remained unbeaten and won all the eight games they have played till now.
South Africa and Australia have registered second and third position respectively on the points table and will face each other in the second semi-final match with 12 points each at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on 16th November. With one match remaining for all the teams in the tournament, it is yet to be decided who will face India in the second semi-final match.
Qualification Scenarios for New Zealand
New Zealand needs to change the given target by Sri Lanka under 35 overs to gain a good run rate on the points table apart from just winning the match against Sri Lanka to secure their chances of qualifying in the semifinals.
Qualification Scenarios for Pakistan
The first thing for Pakistan to qualify in the semifinals is to bat first to increase their run rate. However, if England gets to bat first Pakistan will be automatically eliminated from the ODI World Cup. Pakistan will have to chase 120 runs in six overs or 200 runs in seven overs to get their run rate higher than New Zealand.
