India, South Africa, and Australia have secured their spots in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-finals. The race for the fourth spot is intense, with New Zealand, Pakistan, and Afghanistan vying for it. The team that clinches the fourth spot will face host India in the knockout stage. Meanwhile, former India captain Sourav Ganguly hopes for Pakistan to secure the crucial fourth spot, setting the stage for an intense India vs Pakistan semi-final showdown in Kolkata.
“I want Pakistan to reach the semi-finals and play India. It can’t be a bigger semi-final than that,” Sourav Ganguly told Sports Tak, according to Hindustan Times.
According to ICC playing conditions, the team that holds the top rank in the points table goes up against the fourth-ranked team in the semi-finals. With Australia and South Africa set to face each other in the semi-final, India will be up against either Pakistan, New Zealand, or Afghanistan in their semi-final match.
Moreover, India’s semi-final venue hinges on the opponent: if facing New Zealand or Afghanistan, it’s Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15; if against Pakistan, it shifts to Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 16. Interestingly, Eden Gardens was pre-determined as Pakistan’s semi-final venue, adding to Sourav Ganguly’s desire for an India vs Pakistan blockbuster at his home turf.
How can an India vs Pakistan semi-final clash be possible?
Currently, New Zealand seems to have a slight advantage over Afghanistan and Pakistan, thanks to their better net run rate (+0.398). The Men In Green have the second-best NRR among the three teams. If New Zealand lose to Sri Lanka in their upcoming match or if the match gets washed out, a win for Pakistan against England will greatly enhance their chances of qualifying and facing India in the semis. However, if New Zealand wins, the Babar Azam-led side will not only need to defeat England but also need to do so with a huge margin.
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