Trent Boult led an inspired bowling display to help New Zealand down Sri Lanka by five wickets on Thursday and move to the brink of the ICC World Cup 2023 semi-finals.
Chasing a modest 172 for victory, New Zealand rode on an opening stand between Devon Conway (45) and Rachin Ravindra (42) to achieve the target with 160 balls to spare in Bengaluru.
The Kiwis remain in fourth position with 10 points ahead of Pakistan and Afghanistan and a with much superior net run-rate than their rivals. “There`s a few teams that could end up on similar points,” said New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. “It`s out of our control, we have a couple of trainings, a couple of days off, I don`t know how it will look but it`s great.”
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Both Pakistan and Afghanistan need improbable victory margins in their last matches against England and South Africa respectively to have any of chance of making the final four. Table-toppers India, South Africa and Australia have already booked their places in the final-four of the 10-team tournament. AFP Sport takes a look at qualification scenarios needed to become the fourth semi-finalist.
New Zealand
Played: 9
Points: 10
Net run-rate: 0.743
Runners-up in the previous two editions, New Zealand can now only wait for Pakistan and Afghanistan to finish their league stage. But barring a miracle, the Kiwis are set to face India in the first semi-final in Mumbai on November 15.
Pakistan
Played: 8
Points: 8
Net run-rate: 0.036
Remaining match: v England (in Kolkata on Saturday)
The 1992 champions have to win their final match by at least 287 runs.
Afghanistan
Played: 8
Points: 8
Net run-rate: -0.338
Remaining match: v South Africa (in Ahmedabad on Friday)
Afghanistan need to win by at least 438 runs to surpass New Zealand on net run-rate. The Afghans also have the worst run-rate among the three teams.
(With agency inputs)
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