Xtra Time Web Desk: After New Zealand pulled off a comprehensive five-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 game at the M Chinnaswamy stadium on Thursday, November 9, Pakistan’s chances to seal a spot as the fourth team looks improbable. The win extended New Zealand’s advantage in terms of the net run rate at the fourth place in the points table.
If Babar Azam and his boys defeat England in their last group league game at the Eden Gardens on November 11, they will also end up with the same 10 points as BlackCaps. But New Zealand has a far superior net run rate of 0.74 after their win against Sri Lanka with 160 balls to spare. For Pakistan to reach 0.75, it needs to win by 287 or288 runs if it bats first. If it bowls first, Pakistan needs to chase the target with 284 deliveries to spare.
Pakistan’s only real chance is to bat first and score 400 and then restrict England to 112, then its NRR will go above New Zealand. Afghanistan also has the chance to go level on 10 points. However, its net run rate is worse than Pakistan.
The fourth placed team in the points table will face India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.