New Delhi: The Cinderella run of the Afghanistan cricket team at the World Cup 2023, finally came to its conclusion on Friday, when they bowed out of the tournament after losing their final match against South Africa.
Afghanistan team won 4 matches in this World Cup and finished in their best-ever sixth position on the points table.
They could’ve finished in the top 4, but Glenn Maxwell, with his iconic innings, stole their thunder and virtually confirmed their exit before they could even play their final game.
ICC World Cup 2023, will see its final chance of shuffling on Saturday, as the final clash between table toppers India and bottom-of-the-table Netherlands will have absolutely no effect on the final standings.
Defending Champions #England are facing them.
Can #Pakistan defy all odds and make it to the Semi-finals?
Tune-in to #ENGvPAK in #WorldCupOnStar
Today, 1:30 PM pic.twitter.com/lRhLxKZWTa— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 11, 2023
Pakistan needs to defeat the English side by 287+ runs or if chasing under 2.3 overs if they wish to qualify for the semifinals with a higher net run rate than New Zealand.
Check out the complete points table of the ICC World Cup 2023, till November 11, morning below:
| Rank | Teams | M | W | L | N/R | Points | Net RR |
| 1 | India (Q) | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 16 | +2.45 |
| 2 | South Africa (Q) | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 14 | +1.26 |
| 3 | Australia (Q) | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 12 | +0.86 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 10 | +0.74 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | -0.03 |
| 6 | Afghanistan (E) | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 8 | -0.33 |
| 7 | England (E) | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 | -0.88 |
| 8 | Bangladesh (E) | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 | -1.14 |
| 9 | Sri Lanka (E) | 9 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 4 | -1.41 |
| 10 | Netherland (E) | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 4 | -1.63 |
The final four
The final four of the ICC World Cup 2023, is almost decided, with India, South Africa and Australia already punched their tickets to the semifinals, while New Zealand only waiting for England to complete the formalities against Pakistan and give them their tickets to the semifinals.
With 16 points from 8 games, the hosts India, who have the best win record in this year’s World Cup, lead the points table and will remain there regardless of the outcome of their final game on Sunday against the Netherlands.
𝐖𝐖𝐖𝐖𝐖𝐖𝐖𝐖
With an impressive streak of 8 consecutive victories, can #TeamIndia surpass their own record by defeating #NED in Bengaluru and make it 9/0? 👀
Tune-in to #INDvNED in the #WorldCupOnStar
SUN, 12 NOV, 12.30 PM onwards | Star Sports Network#CWC23 #Cricket pic.twitter.com/TG6of0Aztz— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 10, 2023
However, the men in blue have to wait for the Pakistan vs England match result to know who their opponents will be on November 15.
South Africa, in second place, and Australia, in third place, are also confirmed to finish at the same from the same spot. They already have a scheduled meeting in the second semifinals at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata on November 16; however, their positions may change based on the outcome of their last game.
Our final match of the group stage is here!
Catch our Aussie men taking on Bangladesh from 4pm AEDT as they look to keep the winning streak going into the semi-finals! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hKjMXnpGLe
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) November 11, 2023
The last fight
The fight for the fourth and the final spot in the semifinals will be confirmed on Saturday, after the Pakistan vs England match.
Dedicated to our Shaheens 💚🇵🇰🏏 @TheRealPCB #CWC23 #ENGvPAK #Zalmi #YellowStorm pic.twitter.com/dxUe0Uz8rs
— Peshawar Zalmi (@PeshawarZalmi) November 11, 2023
If Pakistan pulls a miracle and does win the game by 287+ runs, they will have a 2011 World Cup semifinal rematch against India, otherwise, we are going to see the 2019 World Cup semifinal rematch between India and New Zealand.
