ICC World Cup 2019 semi-finals scenario after Pakistan vs South Africa: What do the teams need to qualify?

The defeat to Pakistan at Lord’s meant that South Africa became the second team to be eliminated from World Cup 2019, after Afghanistan. However, all the eight other teams – none of whom have made it to the top four – are in the hunt. What does every team need to do to qualify? Let us see.

Team	M	W	L	NR	Pts	NRR	Status
New Zealand	6	5	0	1	11	+1.306
Australia	6	5	1	0	10	+0.849
India	5	4	0	1	9	+0.809
England	6	4	2	0	8	+1.457
Sri Lanka	6	2	2	2	6	-1.119
Bangladesh	6	2	3	1	5	-0.407
Pakistan	6	2	3	1	5	-1.265
West Indies	6	1	4	1	3	+0.190
South Africa	7	1	5	1	3	-0.324	Eliminated
Afghanistan	6	0	6	0	0	-1.712	Eliminated

New Zealand: Twelve points typically guarantee qualification, so sharing points in any of their remaining matches will assure New Zealand – one of two unbeaten sides in the tournament – a top four berth. However, their remaining matches are against England, Australia, and Pakistan.

Australia: Australia need a win, and though while have two difficult matches ahead, they will eye an underperforming South Africa to ensure a ticket to the top four.

India: With a match in hand and Australia and New Zealand out of the way, India – the other unbeaten side – need 3 points from 4 matches. While one of these will be against England, the others will feature West Indies, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

England: Two wins from 3 matches should do it, but given that they play Australia, New Zealand, and India, England will have their work cut out.

Sri Lanka: They will play England, West Indies, and South Africa. Winning all three will guarantee qualification, while anything less may mean they will have to depend on other teams.

Bangladesh: All three wins will take them closer to qualification. Their last three matches are against the Asian trio of Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan.

Pakistan: They are level with Bangladesh but behind them on net run rate. Their last three matches will be against New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.

West Indies: Hanging on by a thread, they need to beat India, South Africa, and Sri Lanka and wait for some extremely complicated permutations.

South Africa and Afghanistan have been knocked out, but they may hamper others’ progress.