Babar Azam's Pakistan campaign in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 has been nothing short of a nightmare. Starting off on a high note with victories against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka in Hyderabad, Pakistan suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Team India and Australia. But the Men in Green hit the rock bottom when Afghanistan shocked them by eight wickets on October 23. It was Afghanistan's first-ever ODI victory against Pakistan in Chennai, further adding to Pakistan's woes.
While Pakistan's batting and bowling strategies have come under scrutiny owing to their dismal performances, the real concern is their position in the points table. Consecutive three losses on the trot also ousted them out of the top-4 in the standings. However, their net run rate is the only positive from them, which stands at -0.400, ensuring that Pakistan's semi-final hopes aren't completely dashed.
Meanwhile, top teams like India, New Zealand, and South Africa seem have almost sealed their semi-final berths with their stunning performances in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, leaving Australia, and other teams like Pakistan, vying for the coveted fourth spot.
Here's how Pakistan can still make it to semifinals
Victory in All Four Upcoming Matches (12 points):
This is Pakistan's best shot at advancing to the semis. By securing wins against mighty New Zealand and South Africa, they would greatly improve their position in the standings. In this scenario, they would bank on other teams to defeat Australia. A consistent winning streak for Australia would jeopardize Pakistan's chances, underscoring the importance of Australia facing a defeat or two.
Triumph in Three of the Four Matches (10 points):
A slightly complex path, but one that still offers a sliver of hope. Here, the focus shifts to Australia's performance. Pakistan's progression would largely depend on Australia's defeats. If Australia face two or more losses, the race might then come down to net run rates.
Securing Two Wins (8 points):
Winning only half of their remaining matches puts Pakistan in a precarious position. Drawing parallels with IPL 2019, Sunrisers Hyderabad made it to the playoffs with only six wins in 14 games, a rare occurrence. Pakistan would require several results to align perfectly in their favor.
A Lone Win (6 points):
Pakistan would be out of contention for the semi-finals.
Four Consecutive Losses (4 points):
A scenario in which Pakistan exits the tournament.
As the battle heats up, Pakistan's campaign in the ODI World Cup 2023 stands at a crossroads. However, Babar Azam's army would like to make the most of the matches left and display their best performance, what they are known for.
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