World Cup 2023: Updated scenarios after Pakistan defeat New Zealand in high-scoring rain-marred clash

Trust the Pakistan cricket team to make any tournament interesting, all the more so if it’s the ICC World Cup.

World Cup 2023: News | Schedule | Results | Points table

The Men in Green were on the brink of elimination after their narrow defeat against South Africa, which at the time was their fourth in six games. Their seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh was necessary for them to stay alive in the tournament, but even then they needed a miracle to make it through to the semi-finals.

That was all the more so after New Zealand posted a humongous 401/6 on the board at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium in the first game of the Saturday double-header, thanks to Rachin Ravindra’s 94-ball 108 along with skipper Kane Williamson’s 79-ball 95 on comeback from injury. And Pakistan lost their first wicket with just six on the board.

In-form opener Fakhar Zaman and captain Babar Azam, though, refused to give up just yet and would go on to produce one of the most defining partnerships in recent memory. Fakhar would carry on from where he left off against Bangladesh, slamming a 63-ball ton that is Pakistan’s fastest in World Cup history, and would go on to remain unbeaten on 126.

Babar would provide him valuable support from the other end with an unbeaten 66, stitching an unbroken 194-run stand for the second wicket as Pakistan raced to 200/1 after 25.3 overs before the players were forced to retreat following a second spell of rain that would ensure no further play was possible.

1️⃣2️⃣6️⃣ not out
8️⃣1️⃣ balls
1️⃣1️⃣ sixes
8️⃣ fours
1️⃣5️⃣5️⃣.5️⃣5️⃣ strike-rate

One of the most special @cricketworldcup knocks you will ever see! Player of the match @FakharZamanLive #NZvPAK | #CWC23 | #DattKePakistani pic.twitter.com/dO0TIfPidx

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 4, 2023

Since the Pakistan chase had crossed the 20-over mark, it was possibly to declare a winner on the basis of Net Run Rate and since Pakistan were found to be 21 runs ahead of the par score, they live to fight another day in the 13th edition of the showpiece event.

Pakistan dramatic reversal of fortunes as far as their semi-final chances are concerned, which some on social media have labelled ‘Qudrat Ka Nizam‘ (law of nature) has had quite the impact on the World Cup semi-final scenarios.

Here’s a detailed look at what’s in store in the remainder of the tournament:

— South Africa have officially become the second team to qualify for the semi-finals after Pakistan’s victory.

Bringing the Protea Fire to the semi-finals

South Africa are through to the penultimate stage of #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/v83TdskoUr

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) November 4, 2023

— Pakistan remain alive in the race to the semis thanks to their victory. For them to go through however, not only will they have to beat England in their final match, they’ll also depend on the result of the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka match. Pakistan will also hope Afghanistan don’t catch up with them on the points table.

— Despite their fourth defeat on the trot, New Zealand (+0.398) still have the edge over Pakistan (+0.036) in terms of Net Run Rate. A victory over Sri Lanka in their final group stage outing should see them through unless Pakistan overtake them on NRR with a massive victory over England.

— Afghanistan will not only have to beat Australia and South Africa in their remaining games but will have to win them by big margins to go past Pakistan and New Zealand on NRR, should they end up winning their matches as well.

— Sri Lanka, Netherlands and England are still mathematically alive thanks to Pakistan’s victory although England could be officially knocked out with a defeat against Australia in the second game of the Saturday double-header.

— Bangladesh are the only team so far to be officially eliminated from semi-final contention.

Brief scores: New Zealand 401/6 in 50 overs (Rachin Ravindra 104, Kane Williamson 95; Mohammad Wasim 3/60) lost to Pakistan 200/1 in 25.3 overs (Fakhar Zaman 126*, Babar Azam 66*; Tim Southee 1/27) by 21 runs (DLS Method).