New Zealand have one eye on Bengaluru weather as World Cup qualification race intensifies

With three World Cup semi-finals spots already occupied, the fight for the last remaining slot is mainly a battle between three teams: New Zealand, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

The Afghans had a golden chance to all but secure their passage into the next round after they had reduced Australia to 91-7 while defending 292 in Mumbai on Tuesday. But their hopes were crushed by Glenn Maxwell who hit the greatest innings in ODI history, smashing an unbeaten double ton on one leg after being severely cramped.

That result not only sent Australia through to the last four, but also gave other teams one last opportunity to qualify.

New Zealand have the most realistic chance when they face Sri Lanka in Bengaluru on Thursday. The Kiwis are tied on eight points alongside Pakistan and Afghanistan with fours wins and as many defeats for all three sides.

The Black Caps have the better net run rate (0.398) among the three contenders, so are in the best position to vie for the knockouts. If they defeat Sri Lanka, it will be extremely difficult for Pakistan to better their NRR (0.036) even if they defeat England later on Saturday.

However, putting a spanner in the works for New Zealand is the weather. Rain is forecast for much of Thursday in Bengaluru and if points are shared, it will allow Pakistan and even Afghanistan to overtake the Kiwis.

"We'll still have to very much see what the pitch is like. There's been a lot of weather around and it could look different tomorrow," said New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.

"There's lots of things that we can't control and the weather is one of those. There may be a thought in the back of your mind, but at the end of the day, our focus will be on the cricket that we want to play."

Williamson's team