Cricket World Cup qualification scenarios for Pakistan, Afghanistan and New Zealand

The World Cup 2023 has entered its final stretch of group stage matches. India and South Africa are the two teams who have secured their qualification for the semi-finals, while Bangladesh and a hapless England have already been eliminated.

For all other teams still in the hunt, the qualification scenario involves various permutations. Here we take a look at where the 10 teams stand, as of Sunday.

Monday, November 6: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka, Delhi

Tuesday, November 7: Afghanistan v Australia, Mumbai

Wednesday, November 8: England v Netherlands, Pune

Thursday, November 9: New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Bengaluru

Friday, November 10: Afghanistan v South Africa, Ahmedabad

Saturday, November 11: Australia v Bangladesh, Pune; England v Pakistan, Kolkata

Sunday, November 12: India v Netherlands, Bengaluru

India and South Africa are the only teams who have qualified for the semi-finals as of now and have two matches left – one game against each other on Sunday after which South Africa play Afghanistan and India take on Netherlands.

Although they have qualified for the semis, both will be looking to top the points table as the group winner will play the fourth-ranked team in the semi-final.

Australia are in a strong position to be the third team to qualify for the semis and not be dependent on other results. Their last two games are against Afghanistan and Bangladesh. They need only one more win to finish in the top four as it will get them to 12 points.

Even if Australia lose both games, they are still likely to make it to the last four because of their healthy net run rate (+0.924).

Australia can be eliminated if they lose their remaining two games with a big margin and other teams like Afghanistan, New Zealand and Pakistan win their