NEW DELHI: Pakistan's seven-wicket win in the ICC World Cup on Tuesday kept their hopes of semi-finals alive, but the result made the losing team Bangladesh the first to be eliminated from the tournament.
It was the 31st match of the round-robin phase, which now has 14 matches left before the four semi-finalists are decided for the knockout stage.
With Pakistan's win, New Zealand's two-match losing run and Australia's comeback, the top half of the points table is getting tighter as the tournament moves closer to the home straight. At this stage, the two teams that are almost certain to make it to the last-four are India and South Africa.
Here's a look at which team stands where in the race to the semi-finals (listed in the order of their position on the points table):
INDIA
Position: No. 1
Win/loss record: 6-0
Points: 12
Net Run Rate: +1.405
Matches left: vs Sri Lanka, South Africa and Netherlands
Seven wins in round-robin games guarantee a place in the semi-finals, which leaves the hosts India with just one win away from booking a confirmed seat in the semi-finals. However, even in the scenario of three defeats in their remaining league fixtures, India are more or less certain to remain in the top four.
SOUTH AFRICA
Position: No. 2
Win/loss record: 5-1
Points: 10
Net Run Rate: +2.032
Matches left: vs New Zealand, India and Afghanistan
South Africa's only defeat was an upset loss to the Netherlands, but their dominant show, especially with the bat, has ensured big wins in five matches, boosting their net run rate, which is the best so far.
The Proteas ideally need two more wins to breathe easy, but have challenging matches against New Zealand and India coming up. However, if they lose those two games by small margins and beat Afghanistan, they are most likely to go through to the semis as they have a healthy net run rate.
NEW ZEALAND
Position: No. 3
Win/loss record: 4-2
Points: 8
Net Run Rate: +1.232
Matches left: vs South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
The Kiwis are at least two wins short of a place in the semi-finals, and have challenging last three matches coming up. However, looking at their form, barring the defeat against India, they have remained competitive and look determined to punch their ticket to the semis. But if they lose one or two of their next three matches by big margins, it can become touch and go for the Kiwis.
AUSTRALIA
Position: No. 4
Win/loss record: 4-2
Points: 8
Net Run Rate: +0.970
Matches left: vs England, Afghanistan, Bangladesh
The Australians, who have lifted the ODI World Cup trohpy five times, seem to have peaked at the right time after a horrendous start that saw them losing their first two matches.
They too are in search of ideally two more wins at least but on form look firm favourites for the semi-finals, with matches left against the hapless England, Afghanistan and the eliminated Bangladesh.
PAKISTAN
Position: No. 5
Win/loss record: 3-4
Points: 6
Net Run Rate: -0.024
Matches left: vs New Zealand and England
With their hopes hanging by a thread, Pakistan have done themselves a favour by beating Bangladesh with a healthy margin of seven wickets after losing four matches in a row. The win has not only improved their net run rate but also lifted them to the fifth spot on the points table.
However, their fate is not just in their hands now and depends on the results in other matches, besides the mandatory two wins they need in their last two matches. If they do that, and New Zealand and Afghanistan lose their remaining matches, Babar Azam & Co might just sneak in.
AFGHANISTAN
Position: No. 6
Win/loss record: 3-3
Points: 6
Net Run Rate: -0.718
Matches left: vs Netherlands, Australia and South Africa
Afghanistan have emerged as one of the most exciting teams to watch in this World Cup, especially in the manner they have upset three former champions -- England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka -- to stay in the race to the semis.
To get to the magical number of six wins, they need to beat their remaining three opponents and want England to beat Australia.
SRI LANKA
Position: No. 7
Win/loss record: 2-4
Points: 4
Net Run Rate: -0.275
Matches left: vs India, Bangladesh and New Zealand
With just two wins so far in six matches, Sri Lanka are virtually out of the race to the semis and only mathematically alive. Their main focus will be on giving themselves an outside chance by winning their remaining three matches and hope the campaign of Australia or New Zealand nosedives.
NETHERLANDS
Position: No. 8
Win/loss record: 2-4
Points: 4
Net Run Rate: -1.277
Matches left: vs Afghanistan, England, India
The 'Men in Orange' have won hearts of the cricket fans in this tournament, with their moment of glory coming in the win against the South Africans.
Their rank outside chances are now resting on the Aussies and the New Zealanders losing all their matches and the Dutch beating their next three opponents, which include India.
BANGLADESH (Eliminated)
Position: No. 9
Win/loss record: 1-6
Points: 2
Net Run Rate: -1.446
ENGLAND
Position: No. 10
Win/loss record: 1-5
Points: 2
Net Run Rate: -1.652
Matches left: vs Australia, Netherlands and Pakistan
The defending champions have had a disastrous campaign, the worst ever for a team defending its ODI World Cup crown. But surprisingly, despite behind the eliminated Bangladesh on the points table, they have their extremely thin hopes alive.
For their semi-final chances, which virtually depend on a miracle now, England need three wins, a markedly improved net run rate and results in other matches that can turn the points table upside down.
