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Pakistan are gearing up for their crunch World Cup clash against New Zealand on November 4, Saturday. But a big threat is lingering on the crucial match as the weather forecasts predict stormy conditions that could impact the World Cup 2023 encounter between Babar Azam's Pakistan and New Zealand at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium, putting a strain on Pakistan's semi-final hopes. With thunderstorms expected in the city, the match faces a high chance of interruptions, jeopardising the points crucial for both teams. It has been learnt that there is a 68 per cent of possibility of rain which might see the big match getting washed out.
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If the match gets washed out Afghanistan, following their victory over the Netherlands, will get a significant edge in the race for the semi-finals, as they still have two games in hand. The outcome will also impact the chances of South Africa and Australia, who will be closely monitoring the match.
On November 3, the city experienced heavy rainfall, and the AccuWeather forecast too isn't promising, with thunderstorms anticipated at crucial times throughout November 4. With persistent overcast conditions expected, prospects of uninterrupted play seem slim, casting uncertainty over the game's progression.
What will be Pakistan semis fate?
For Pakistan, currently sitting at six points, the stakes couldn't be higher. A washout would grant them a single point, equalising New Zealand's total to nine points, and complicating their path to the semi-finals. Pakistan would then need to not only win in their final league game against England but also rely on other teams, including a massive defeat for New Zealand at the hands of Sri Lanka, and favorable outcomes from Australia's remaining matches.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan emerge as the prime beneficiary of the disrupted match, having secured eight points with two more games ahead. If New Zealand and Pakistan's match yields no result, Afghanistan could stride into the semi-finals by winning their upcoming fixtures against Australia and South Africa, reaching a secure 12 points.
The ripple effects of the Bengaluru weather could extend to other teams as well. South Africa could find themselves comfortably advancing even before their last two matches, provided that only two teams could surpass the 12-point threshold. Australia, facing England concurrently, retain a chance to proceed without the burden of net run rate calculations, given that New Zealand's potential maximum of 11 points post-washout would be less than Australia's prospective tally of 12, despite a defeat to England.
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