ODI WC 2023: Pakistan or New Zealand? India most likely to play semifinal with this team

Explosive all-rounder Glenn Maxwell’s incredible knock against Afghanistan ensured Australia’s spot in the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup 2023 semifinal clash with South Africa. However, India’s opponent in the other semifinal is not yet clear.

The lack of clarity about the fourth spot for the knock-out stage has made the end stage of league matches even more exciting. Now, every match has the potential to throw a new team to the forefront.

Under this kind of circumstance, the Men in Blue will face either New Zealand or Pakistan or even Afghanistan in the first semifinal at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on November 15.

Semifinal qualification scenarios for NZ, Pakistan & Afghanistan

New Zealand: The Black Caps have to beat Sri Lanka at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on November 9. In the worst case scenario, they will hope that England lose against Pakistan at a margin of less than 130 runs.

Pakistan: The Green Army will have to beat England by at least 130 runs on November 11. They will also hope that Sri Lanka would beat New Zealand or the match is washed out as heavy rain is predicted in Bengaluru on Thursday.

Afghanistan: The minnows have to beat South Africa at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on November 10. In addition, they will hope that Sri Lanka beat New Zealand and England defeat Pakistan. If it happens, they will create history by entering a World Cup semifinal for the first time ever.