Kolkata: Pakistan’s slim mathematical chances of sneaking into the ODI World Cup semifinals evaporated at Eden Gardens as England won the toss and posted 337/9 in their final round-robin league game here on Saturday.
That left Babar Azam’s men with the impossible task of chasing 338 in just 6.4 overs to pip New Zealand and steal a spot in the last-four stage.
New Zealand have completed their league engagements with 10 points and a net run-rate (NRR) of +0.743. Pakistan can catch up with New Zealand on points if they topple England’s total, but they need to score at a ridiculous rate of nearly 50 runs per over to better New Zealand’s NRR.
So the semifinals will pit red-hot Team India against New Zealand at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on November 15, while Australia will face South Africa at Eden Gardens on November 16.
India, who have won all their eight matches so far and already sealed top place in the league standings, will look to finish with a 100% record when they take on The Netherlands at Bengaluru on Sunday.
South Africa finished second and Australia – who thrashed Bangladesh by 8 wickets on Saturday – were third.
The final is scheduled for November 19 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad.
