How England and Pakistan can still make it to the Semi-final of ODI World Cup 2023

England’s 2023 World Cup campaign has been calamitous to say the very least. The reigning champions have lost five of their six matches, including humbling defeats to Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, and are currently languishing at the bottom of the points table. England’s dismal performance has been a major source of disappointment for fans and pundits alike. The team is packed with world-class talent, but they have been unable to perform even close to their prodigious potential.

Pakistan, another pre-tournament favourite, has had a disappointing World Cup campaign. They began brightly, winning their first two matches, but have since succumbed to four consecutive defeats, leaving them on the brink of elimination. They will need nothing short of a miracle to qualify for the semi-finals.

Here’s a look at how these two teams can still make it through to the next stage of the World Cup:

England’s Qualification Scenario

England are still in the 2023 World Cup with three matches remaining, and they will be eager to improve their performance and perhaps hope for a long shot with a bit of fortune to qualify for the knockout stage. However, for that to happen, England will need to focus on what they can control, which is winning all their remaining matches against Australia, Netherlands and Pakistan. If England manages to win their remaining three matches, they will finish the group stage with 8 points and will then need both Australia and New Zealand to lose all of their remaining fixtures, as both teams already have 8 points.

In addition, England will also need Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, and Afghanistan to win no more than two of their remaining matches. England will also need to ensure that their own victories are comprehensive so that they can finish ahead of any other teams that also end up on 8 points.

Jos Buttler and England would be better off focusing on what they can control and keeping their fingers crossed, rather than looking too far ahead. It is unlikely that so many permutations will work out in their favour, but cricket is a funny game, as we have seen over the years.

Pakistan’s Qualification Scenario

Pakistan’s chances of advancing to the next stage of the tournament are slim, but they are still mathematically in the race. To qualify for the semi-finals, Babar Azam’s team must win all three of their remaining matches, which would bring them to 10 points. They would then need to hope that New Zealand and Australia win no more than one match each, as they would also finish on 10 points in that scenario. Sri Lanka and Afghanistan would also need to lose one of their remaining matches for Pakistan to qualify.

Pakistan could also qualify for the semi-finals if they finish on 8 points. However, they would need one of Australia and New Zealand to lose both of their remaining matches, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan to win no more than two of their remaining matches, and the Netherlands to lose one of their remaining matches. They would also need to win their own matches convincingly, as their net run rate of -0.387 is not in their favour. Overall, Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the semi-finals are extremely remote, but it is still possible.