And that's that. Pakistan are now officially knocked out of ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in the league stage, with no chance left for them to qualify for the semi-finals. Facing England in Kolkata for their final group-stage game, Pakistan needed to chase down a target of 338 runs in 6.4 overs to surpass New Zealand's net run rate. But the Men In Green could only muster 30 runs for the loss of two wickets in 6.4 overs, signalling the end of their campaign. (Match Blog | Streaming | Scorecard)
This means that the four semi-finalists of the 2023 ODI World Cup are now confirmed. India, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand (who have qualified in that order) will battle it out in the last-four stage. While the first-placed India will take on New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday, November 15, five-time champions Australia will lock horns with the second-placed South Africa at Eden Gardens on Thursday, November 16.
Forecast of rain during the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka game in Bengaluru would have instilled hope in Pakistan faithfuls of their side making the last-four stage. But bright sunshine and a rampaging Kiwi outfit washed away those hopes, and what remained was an asking rate beyond herculean.
Pakistan's net run rate was 0.036 at the start of the game, and that of New Zealand (who finished in fourth place) is 0.743. Hence, to overtake the Kiwis and sneak into the knockout stage, Pakistan needed to somehow smash 338 runs in 40 balls, which they obviously could not accomplish.
Meanwhile, disaster best describes the England ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign. Reigning champions from 2019, and boasting a squad of superstars, the Three Lions were the tournament’s biggest disappointment, delivering far below what is expected of them. Elimination confirmed, England will attempt to add to the momentum they had gained by beating the Netherlands in their previous match and finish in a respectable position.
Playing XIs
England: Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler(w/c), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, David Willey, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf
