New Delhi: The most anticipated match for the ICC World Cup 2023, as soon as the official schedule was released, was the India vs Pakistan match on October 14, as the matches between these two arch-rivals are always intense and thrilling.
However, the match between the two teams failed to live up to the expectations as the hosts men in blue made the match one side, just like they have with every team in the tournament so far.
Fans were a little disappointed as they wanted to see more drama between the two sides, however, they hoped that if Pakistan could make it to the final four, they might get to feel the rush of the India vs Pakistan clash once again, and despite Pakistan losing 4 matches in a row, they have made a strong comeback by winning two matches back to back.
Pakistan now stands at the number 5 spot in the points table with 8 points in 8 matches and has a realistic chance of qualifying for the semi-finals from the number 4 spot and setting up the India vs Pakistan clash at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15.
India vs Pakistan becomes the match to have received highest advertisements in the World Cup. Also, other Indian matches received 178% more ad slots in World Cup than non-India matches.
Top industries to advertise during World Cup:
-Food and beverage category brands
-Online… pic.twitter.com/3aEhszptoT— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) October 30, 2023
There are a total of 3 scenarios from which Pakistan can get themselves tickets for the semifinals, by outclassing the two other genuine contenders for the number 4 spot, i.e. New Zealand and Afghanistan.
Scenario 1
The first scenario is pretty simple, if New Zealand and Afghanistan lose their remaining games, then both the teams will finish with 8 points each.
That would mean Pakistan only have to win their last match against England to qualify for the semifinals with 10 points in 9 matches.
Scenario 2
In this scenario, Pakistan has to hope New Zealand loses their last match against Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan only manages to win one of their two matches and that too by a small margin, and again Pakistan wins their final match. In that case, New Zealand will finish 6th with 8 points, while Pakistan and Afghanistan will finish with 10 points, but Pakistan will then outrun Afghanistan with a superior net run rate.
Scenario 3
Hype check for India vs Pakistan game ✅
No Indian will scroll without liking this tweet#INDvsPAK #ViratKohlipic.twitter.com/K35w43ErAR
— Groot 🚩 (@IAmGrootX18) October 14, 2023
In this scenario, Pakistan still has to pray for Afghanistan to win only one match. if Afghanistan wins both their matches, they will automatically qualify for the semifinals with 12 points, so they have to drop points in at least one game to keep Pakistan in the hunt, and if New Zealand also wins their game, Pakistan then would have to win their last match with 130+ margin or 140+ balls to spare (while chasing), in order to get finish with 10 points as well as net run rate high enough to replace new Zealand from the fourth spot.
Check out the current standings in the points table:
| Rank | Teams | M | W | L | N/R | Points | Net RR |
| 1 | India (Q) | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 16 | +2.45 |
| 2 | South Africa (Q) | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 12 | +1.37 |
| 3 | Australia | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 10 | +0.92 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | +0.39 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | -0.03 |
| 6 | Afghanistan | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 6 | -0.33 |
| 7 | Bangladesh (E) | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 | -1.14 |
| 8 | Sri Lanka (E) | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 | -1.16 |
| 9 | Netherland | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2 | -1.39 |
| 10 | England (E) | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 2 | -1.50 |
