ICC World Cup 2023: Can Pakistan Still Reach Semi-finals After Defeat Against South Africa? Scenarios Explained. In their recent loss to South Africa at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on October 27 in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Pakistan’s chances of reaching the semi-finals appear increasingly challenging.
Pakistan’s performance in this tournament has been below par. Although they managed to win their first two matches, but then after they suffered four consecutive losses in the World Cup. With six matches already played, they now have only three matches remaining in the tournament. If they manage to secure victories in those matches, their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals will still be problematic.
Pakistan has historically shown off one of the world’s strongest bowling units, but their performance in this World Cup has been a stark departure from that reputation. Surprisingly, their bowling unit has been a significant factor behind their uninspired showing in the tournament. As a result, Pakistan finds itself in the 8th position on the points table.
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While Pakistan’s chances of reaching the semi-finals in the World Cup remain quite slim, they still have a glimmer of hope. To secure a semi-final berth, they must win all their remaining matches in the tournament and pay close attention to their net run rate. In case other teams end up with the same points as Pakistan, the net run rate could be a crucial tiebreaker.
Nevertheless, this scenario is not enough on its own; it also depends on Australia and Afghanistan facing defeats in three out of their remaining four matches for Pakistan to have a shot at the semi-finals. Pakistan’s path to the semi-finals is challenging, but it’s not entirely impossible.
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ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Points Table
| POS | Team | M | W | L | NRR | Pts |
| 1 | South Africa | 6 | 5 | 1 | +2.032 | 10 |
| 2 | India | 5 | 5 | 0 | +1.353 | 10 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 5 | 4 | 1 | +1.481 | 8 |
| 4 | Australia | 5 | 3 | 2 | +1.142 | 6 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 5 | 2 | 3 | -0.205 | 4 |
| 6 | Pakistan | 6 | 2 | 4 | -0.387 | 4 |
| 7 | Afghanistan | 5 | 2 | 3 | -0.969 | 4 |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 5 | 1 | 4 | -1.253 | 2 |
| 9 | England | 5 | 1 | 4 | -1.634 | 2 |
| 10 | Netherlands | 5 | 1 | 4 | -1.902 | 2 |
After their recent victory over Pakistan in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, South Africa has moved ahead of India in the 1st rank of points table. Both teams currently have 10 points, but South Africa holds an advantage with a superior net run rate compared to India.
Pakistan Playing 11
Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Babar Azam (capt), Shaheen Afridi, Imam-ul-Haq.
