A thrilling ICC World Cup match took place at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where Pakistan secured a crucial victory over New Zealand by a 21-run margin under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. This win has injected new life into Pakistan’s campaign for qualifying in the tournament. Discover Is India vs Pakistan World Cup Final Match Possible?
The game, characterized by suspense due to rain interruptions, witnessed a magnificent century from Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman, playing a pivotal role in their commanding total of 200 for 1 in just over 25 overs. Fakhar Zaman, in partnership with Babar Azam, showcased a brilliant batting performance, positioning Pakistan strongly before rain curtailed the match.
Heroic Innings by Fakhar Zaman Fuels Pakistan’s Semi-Final Aspirations
Fakhar Zaman’s outstanding innings has rekindled hopes of Pakistan’s qualification for the semi-finals. To secure a spot among the top four teams remains a possibility. Speculations are emerging about a potential India-Pakistan final.
Currently, India leads the table with 16 points from 8 matches, and no other team can overtake them. India is to face the 4th team on the points table in the semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. If India triumphs in the semi-final, they will advance to the final in Ahmedabad.
In that scenario, the final will feature the winner of the second semi-final, to be held on November 16 between the 2nd and 3rd ranked teams. The prospect of an India vs Pakistan world cup final carries certain conditions, with the key factor being Pakistan finishing either in the 2nd or 3rd position on the points table.
While the likelihood of this scenario is low, it’s not entirely impossible. South Africa currently holds the 2nd position with 12 points from 8 matches. Even if they lose their next match against Afghanistan, their high net run rate (NRR) of +1.376 may keep them in the 2nd position. However, a victory by South Africa is necessary for the possibility of an India-Pakistan final.
Australia occupies the 3rd position with 10 points from 7 matches. If Australia loses both of their upcoming matches against Afghanistan and Bangladesh, they will remain with 10 points. If they win either of these matches, the 2nd and 3rd positions will be decided, with South Africa and Australia securing those spots.
To enhance Pakistan’s chances, they must defeat England, and Sri Lanka needs to beat New Zealand. Additionally, Afghanistan’s performance will play a role in the final standings.
Is India vs Pakistan final possible?
The conditions for Pakistan to finish in the 3rd position and set the stage for a potential India-Pakistan final are outlined in the following table:
| Team | Current Points | Remaining Matches | Potential Points After Matches | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 8 | 1 (must win) | 10 | NRR must improve to surpass others |
| Australia | 10 | 2 (must lose both) | 10 | PAK’s NRR should be highest than AUS |
| South Africa | 12 | 1 (must win) | 14 | Remain in number 2 |
| New Zealand | 8 | 1 (win/lose) | 10 or 8 | If NZ win, PAK should have higher NRR. NRR won’t matter if NZ lose. |
| Afghanistan | 8 | 2 (must win one, lose one) | 10 | AFG beat AUS but lose to SA. PAK must have higher NRR. |
These possibilities can position Pakistan in the 3rd place, and for an India-Pakistan final to materialize, Pakistan must win the semi-final against South Africa, scheduled to take place at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
