New Delhi: Match number 15 of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 ended with yet another major upset, which saw the Netherlands putting a halt on South Africa’s dominant run with a 38-run victory over the Proteas.
In the updated points table, India holds the top spot, with New Zealand following them closely behind at the second spot.
Check out the points table below:
| Rank | Teams | M | W | L | N/R | Points | Net RR |
| 1 | India | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +1.82 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +1.60 |
| 3 | South Africa | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | +1.07 |
| 4 | Pakistan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -0.13 |
| 5 | England | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -0.08 |
| 6 | Afghanistan | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -0.65 |
| 7 | Bangladesh | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -0.69 |
| 8 | Netherland | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -0.72 |
| 9 | Australia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -0.73 |
| 10 | Sri Lanka | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | -1.53 |
Race for the semis
Despite the huge upset pulled by the Netherlands on Tuesday, the top-four position at the top remained unchanged for the time being.
India still holds the top spot with 6 points in 3 matches with a superior net run rate over the black caps. India will now play Bangladesh on Thursday and will try to solidify their position at the top of the points table.
India vs Pakistan World Cup Head to Head:
Indian made it 🇮🇳 8-0 🇵🇰
We have to wait for 4 years to make it 9 – 0#PKMKBForever #IndiavsPak#WorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/UYXVb0zUBW
— Rohit Singh Akhariya (रोहित सिंह अखारिया) (@singhrohit_10) October 15, 2023
New Zealand, the only other undefeated team besides India, will be looking to snatch the top spot from the men in blue when they will face the Afghanistan team on Wednesday. If the Black Caps manage to get one over the high-spirited Afghanistan, they will go to the top of the points table with 8 points.
🇳🇿🆚🇦🇫
As New Zealand challenges Afghanistan to a tough fight, fans are in for a treat! 🏏Tune-in to #NZvAFG in #WorldCupOnStar
Today, 12:30 PM onwards | Star Sports Network#Cricket #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/OZgBcHlZoS— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 18, 2023
South Africa, despite suffering a shocking defeat against the Dutch team on Tuesday, still holds the third spot with 4 points from 3 matches with a superior net run rate over the Pakistani team.
Pakistan, meanwhile, holds the fourth spot but with also 4 points in 3 matches, but can slip down a spot if Afghanistan manages to replicate their performance against England again on Wednesday against the Black Caps.
Underdogs turning the tides
After Afghanistan scored one over England, the Netherlands also pulled yet another heist at the ICC World Cup 2023, when they defeated the South African team by 38 runs on Tuesday.
Netherlands celebration after beating South Africa in World Cup 2023#SAvsNED #NEDvSA #chokers pic.twitter.com/G9uaMWIL51
— ICT Fan (@Delphy06) October 18, 2023
The match between Netherlands and South Africa was affected by rains and was curtailed to a 43 over-a-side match. The Dutch team, at one point, was struggling at 80 for 5 when their captain, Scott Edwards, came to all guns blazing and scored a not-out 78 to get the team out of danger. He was complimented by Van der Merwe (29) and Aryan Dutt (23*) to help the Netherlands post a competitive total of 245 for 8 on the board.
In reply, the African batting line was totally flattered, and except for David Miller (43) and Keshav Maharaj (40), no one put up a fight against the Dutch bowlers and finally got all out on 207, giving the Netherlands a historic 38 runs victory.
With this win, Netherlands jumped two spots in the points table and now stands at number 8, meanwhile, Australia and Sri Lanka dropped one spot each to ninth and tenth position, respectively.
