The Cricket World Cup 2023 is witnessing intense competition as teams vie for a spot in the semi-finals. Australia’s remarkable comeback against Afghanistan has added suspense to the tournament, opening the door for New Zealand and Pakistan. If Afghanistan had won against Australia, their chances of making it to the semi-finals would have increased, making it tougher for both New Zealand and Pakistan.
World Cup 2023 Points Table Scenario
India, South Africa, and Australia have secured their spots in the semi-finals. South Africa is set to face Australia in the semi-finals, as they are expected to finish as the second and third teams in the standings, respectively. In the knockout stage, the team ranked number one will play against the fourth-ranked team. If Pakistan manages to secure the fourth spot, there is a possibility of an India vs Pakistan clash in the semi-finals. However, for this scenario to materialize, Pakistan needs to win their last match against England and hope that either New Zealand loses to Sri Lanka or the match gets washed out in Bengaluru. Additionally, they require South Africa to defeat Afghanistan convincingly.
Venue for India vs Pakistan Semifinal:
If India and Pakistan face off in the semi-finals, the match will be held at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has specified that if India qualifies for the semi-finals and plays against Pakistan, the match will be scheduled in Kolkata instead of Mumbai. The reason behind this decision remains unclear, although former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials have previously expressed reluctance to travel to Mumbai for matches.
The first semi-final is scheduled for November 15, where the top-ranked team will compete against the fourth-ranked team. In this case, India would be playing against Pakistan at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The other semi-final between South Africa and Australia will take place in Mumbai. It remains uncertain whether the dates for these matches will be altered due to the change in venues.
