Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has expressed his desire to see India and Pakistan face off in the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup 2023. Karthik, speaking on Cricbuzz ahead of India's clash with South Africa, said that he believes India vs Pakistan semi-final at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata would be a "mouth-watering clash".
"India vs Pakistan definitely. I want that as the semi-final. I am manifesting that to happen, let's see. India vs Pakistan in Kolkata is going to be a mouth-watering contest," Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
As of now, Rohit Sharma's Indian team has already solidified their place in the World Cup 2023 semi-finals, boasting a perfect record of seven wins in as many group-stage matches. South Africa, who have secured six victories out of their first seven games, are right behind the Men in Blue on the standings.
In stark contrast, Pakistan's campaign in the tournament has been a rollercoaster ride. Despite a promising start with two wins, they experienced a turbulent phase, suffering four consecutive losses, jeopardising their chances of reaching the semi-finals. However, their fortunes turned when they halted their slide with a crucial win against Bangladesh in Kolkata. Currently, Pakistan is engaged in a high-stakes battle against New Zealand in Bengaluru. This contest is a make-or-break moment for Pakistan, as a loss would effectively dash their hopes of clinching a top-four spot in the tournament.
For Karthik's vision of an India-Pakistan semi-final to become a reality, a specific sequence of events must unfold. India would need to lose to South Africa, causing them to slip to the second position in the league table. Simultaneously, Pakistan would be required to secure victories in their remaining matches with substantial margins, positioning themselves in the third spot on the league table. If India finishes at the top of the points table then Pakistan will have to finish fourth in the standings for an India vs Pakistan semi-final to come to fruition.
The most recent India-Pakistan encounter in a semi-final occurred during the 2011 World Cup at Mohali's IS Bindra Stadium. In that match, the Indian team emerged victorious, earning them a place in the final against Sri Lanka.
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