What are Pakistan's qualification chances for World Cup 2023 semi-finals?

Pakistan were up until recently the top-ranked ODI team in the world. They also possessed the best bowling attack in white-ball cricket. But within a matter of weeks, their world has come crashing down after injury to premier pacer Naseem Shah and a string of shocking defeats.

Having started the World Cup in India with morale-booting wins against Netherlands and Sri Lanka in Hyderabad, Babar Azam’s team have suffered chastening losses to India, Australia and Afghanistan.

The defeat against the Afghans in Chennai was the most devastating, as they were outplayed in all three aspects of the game by a team that had never defeated them in an ODI.

Substandard fielding, weak bowling and average batting have all combined to push Pakistan towards the wrong end of the points table.

Pakistan have now got two wins, three defeats and four points to their name. They also have four matches remaining, with South Africa and New Zealand still to come.

It is not looking good for Pakistan as they seek to somehow salvage the tournament and sneak into the semi-finals. The top four teams at the end of the group stage make it to the semi-finals.

Pakistan v South Africa: Friday, October 27, Chennai

Pakistan v Bangladesh: October 31, Kolkata

Pakistan v New Zealand: November 4, Bengaluru

Pakistan v England: November 11, Kolkata

It is not going to be easy. Firstly, Pakistan need to win their remaining four games. That includes matches against seriously in-form Kiwis and Proteas. Whether they can even attempt to do that looks doubtful, given how easily Pakistan were defeated by Afghanistan.

Even so, if they do somehow win all their remaining games, Pakistan will not be out of the woods.

In the 2019 World Cup, Pakistan missed out on qualification for