Fakhar Zaman and captain Babar Azam played really well, and Pakistan won a thrilling game against New Zealand by 21 runs despite some rain interruptions. This win keeps Pakistan’s hopes alive in the semi final race in Cricket World Cup. They now have eight points from eight games, and their next match is against England in Kolkata on November 11.
New Zealand Inning Highlight
Pakistan’s choice to let New Zealand bat first could have worked out better for them. Rachin Ravindra scored his third century in this World Cup, making 108 runs off 94 balls. He and captain Kane Williamson, who scored 95 runs from 79 balls, put together a partnership of 180 runs for the second wicket, which gave New Zealand a strong foundation for their total.
Towards the end of New Zealand’s innings, Glenn Phillips made 41 runs off 25 balls, Mark Chapman scored 39 runs off 27 balls, and Daryl Mitchell contributed 29 runs off 18 balls. Their quick runs were a big help to New Zealand.
To stay in the tournament, Pakistan will have to chase the target within 35.2 overs, which will improve their net run rate (NRR) and give them a chance to beat New Zealand.
Among the Pakistani bowlers, Mohammad Wasim was the standout performer, with three wickets for 60 runs. Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, and Haris Rauf each took one door. Still, they were a bit more expensive regarding runs conceded, with one wicket each for 55, 82, and 85 runs, respectively.
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Pakistan Inning Highlight
After a rain delay that lasted over an hour, Pakistan was given a revised target of 342 runs to win in 41 overs according to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the match in Bengaluru. Before the rain break, Pakistan had been doing well, reaching a score of 160/1 in 21.3 overs.
In this challenging chase against New Zealand, Fakhar Zaman played an exceptional innings, scoring a sensational century in just 63 balls. He achieved the fastest century for Pakistan in World Cup history, leading Pakistan’s charge.
Pakistan faced an early setback in the second over when Tim Southee dismissed Abdullah Shafique for just four runs. However, Fakhar Zaman continued aggressive batting, taking on bowlers like Trent Boult and Glenn Philips. His century is the quickest ever by a Pakistan batsman in World Cup matches. Meanwhile, Babar Azam held his ground and remained solid at the crease.
How Rain Help Pakistan To Win?
Unfortunately, rain has intervened in Bengaluru, spoiling what could have been an exciting chase by Pakistan against New Zealand. The match ended with Pakistan being declared the winner due to the DLS method.
Babar Azam and his team have beaten New Zealand by 21 runs under these circumstances, keeping their hopes alive for a spot in the semi final race of the 2023 ODI World Cup. With this victory, Pakistan has moved to the fifth position in the standings.
For New Zealand, despite scoring a formidable 401 runs, they find themselves on the losing side. This marks their fourth consecutive defeat, and it’s a significant blow. They are currently holding onto the fourth spot in the standings.
However, Pakistan and Afghanistan are right behind them, with all three teams having 8 points each, and the difference is only in terms of net run rate (NRR).
Current Point Table Of ICC World Cup 2023
How Can Pakistan Qualify For Semi Final Race?
To keep their hopes alive for a spot in the semi final race, Pakistan must meet specific conditions: New Zealand must win against Sri Lanka by just 1 run.
In a match against England, If Pakistan bats first and secures a victory with a lead of 131 runs or if Pakistan bats second in that match, they will need to chase down the required target within 28 overs. Meeting these criteria is essential for Pakistan to remain in contention for the semi-finals.
How This Match Changes the Scenario Of Semi Final Race?
The outcome of the match means that South Africa has secured their spot in the semi final race. Meanwhile, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Afghanistan all have 8 points each. Australia and New Zealand currently occupy the third and fourth positions in the standings.
At the same time, Pakistan and Afghanistan are in the fifth and sixth positions, respectively. It’s a closely contested race for the remaining semi-final berths, with teams jostling for work based on net run rate and other tiebreakers.
Prediction For Teams To Qualify In Semi-final
India has already qualified for the semi-finals with 14 points from 7 games. In comparison, South Africa is in a strong position with 12 points from 7 games. It is likely to qualify for the semi-finals. The real competition now is for the 3rd and 4th positions. Currently, Australia holds the 3rd position with 10 points from 7 games, and New Zealand occupies the 4th position with 8 points from 8 games.
Based on the current situation, India, South Africa, and Australia will likely be the three teams in the semi-finals. The 4th spot is still up for grabs and could go to New Zealand or Pakistan. This scenario sets the stage for an exciting battle between these two teams to secure that final semi-final position.
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