New Delhi: Match number 18 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 produced a huge uproar in the points table as finally, after a jittering start, the five-time champions Australia have finally managed to get their campaign on track as they secured the number 4 spot after defeating Pakistan on Friday.
On the other hand, for the first time in the tournament, the Pakistan cricket team have slipped out of the top 4 spots with a loss against the Aussies.
With the tournament now in its middle phase, the points table has finally started to shuffle up, with some more ups and downs set to take place by the end of the week.
Check out the full points table:
| Rank | Teams | M | W | L | N/R | Points | Net RR |
| 1 | New Zealand | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | +1.92 |
| 2 | India | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | +1.65 |
| 3 | South Africa | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | +1.38 |
| 4 | Australia | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -0.19 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -0.45 |
| 6 | England | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -0.08 |
| 7 | Bangladesh | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | -0.78 |
| 8 | Netherland | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -0.99 |
| 9 | Afghanistan | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | -1.25 |
| 10 | Sri Lanka | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | -1.53 |
The semifinal race
The race for the semifinals is heating up with every passing match, and all the teams are now going all in to make it to the next stage, except the hosts, India and the last edition’s runner-up’s New Zealand, who are looking like they are in the league of their own with 4 wins out of 4 matches, however, the things will change after Sunday as after the Sunday clash between the men in blue and the black caps, only one team will have the right to call themselves the undefeated team.
Sunday. October 22. India vs New Zealand 🍿 #INDvNZ | #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/TLMwaybF5g
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 20, 2023
At the current time, New Zealand is sitting easy at the top spot with 8 points out of their 4 matches, and following them closely is the men in blue, India, who also have 8 points from 4 matches but have to settle down with the number two spot due to an inferior net run rate.
However, on Sunday, we will be getting an undisputed top spot holder when the top two teams will square off against each other in Dharamsala.
England Vs South Africa in two Mega Sports events today:
– ICC Cricket World Cup.
– Rugby World Cup Semi Finals. pic.twitter.com/srhVYLtqIc— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 21, 2023
The third-spot team seems to be fixed for the rest of the week, with South Africa holding the spot tight with 4 points from three games and also with a very healthy net run rate. However, they can slip to the number 4 spot if England manages to beat them on Saturday with a huge margin and claim the third spot for themselves.
David warner showing his vintage side scoring 163 highest total in this world cup and helping Australia reach 367 vs Pakistan and eventually win it. See him enjoy it in Pushpa style at the Chinnaswamy stadium Bengaluru.#AUSvsPAK
— NO CONTEXT VIBE (@No_Context_Vibe) October 20, 2023
The fourth spot at the points table has a new entry, as, despite their lacklustre start, the Aussies have finally managed to break into the top 4 with a win over Pakistan.
The shake-up
Pakistan, who was enjoying their place in the top 4 until match number 17, has now slipped out after a loss against Australia and now sits at number 5 spot with 4 points from 4 matches.
England slips to sixth spot with Australia’s win but can manage to break into the top 4, if they manage to beat the South African team on Saturday.
