Can Pakistan still qualify for World Cup 2023 semi-finals?

It is incredible that despite the clear gap between the best and worst teams at the 2023 World Cup, we still don't know which teams have definitely qualified for the semi-finals and which sides are surely out of contention.

Sure, India have won six out of six matches and England have lost five out of six. But England can still, mathematically, squeeze into the last four.

Similarly, other teams are also harbouring hopes of securing qualification for the next stage, with varying degrees of confidence.

Pakistan, too, will be keeping an eye on the points table when they take on Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday.

Mathematically, anything is possible. But realistically, it is looking very difficult.

As things stand, Pakistan can, at best, finish with five wins and four defeats, provided they win their next three matches – against Bangladesh, New Zealand and England.

Even then, it might not be enough. Both New Zealand and Australia have four wins each and if both win just one of their remaining three games, it would more or less mean the end of the road for Pakistan.

India and South Africa are ahead of the pack in the points table. New Zealand and Australia all have huge net run rate advantage over Babar's team, which can't be overcome within the remaining time. So Pakistan not only need to win their remaining matches, they also require New Zealand and Australia to falter significantly, with at least one of them losing all remaining games.

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, too, are in a similar position as the team in green, but the Black Caps and Aussies pose a more imminent threat to Pakistan's chances.

After the match against Bangladesh on Tuesday, Pakistan conclude their group stage campaign against New Zealand