New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, ICC World Cup 2023: What Happens If Match Is Washed Out Due To Rain In Bengaluru?

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ICC World Cup 2023 semifinal qualification hopes hanging in the balance, New Zealand lock horns with Sri Lanka at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday (November 9) in match 41 of the show-piece tournament.

Tom Latham's New Zealand are in fourth position in the points table thanks to their superior Net Run Rate compared to Pakistan and Afghanistan, who are also 8 points from 8 matches. A victory against Sri Lanka will put the Kiwis in good position to seal their record-equalling 9th semifinal.

However, there is threat of rain playing spoilsport during the Blackcaps encounter again in Bengaluru. Although there is no guarantee that the rains could completely wash out play, there is a chance to see another truncated contest in Bengaluru.

New Zealand conceded defeat to Pakistan despite posting the highest ODI total at the venue, where rain played spoilsport. Due to the good drainage system at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, there was play possible after an hour's delay, but that did not allow for a full match.

Now, with inclement weather predicted for Thursday (November 9), what happens in case rain washes out play? What is the minimum number of overs required to constitute a result in ICC World Cup 2023 or in a ODI match? Here is a look at what could happen:

Is there any reserve day for the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka match to be completed?

There is no reserve day for any of the league stage matches. So, in case there is any interruption, the umpires can use the extended window of an hour to complete the match.

In case, there is just a small interruption due to rain, the match will be completed by using the additional 1 hour without losing any overs, but if the delay is for more than an hour, then the overs will be reduced with Duckworth-Lewis Stern (DLS) Method coming into play.

What if there is no further play possible in NZ vs SL after rain?

If both teams have not played the required 20 overs each to get a result even after the extended time is taken for completion of the match, the match will be considered a no result with both teams sharing a point each.

However, there is a chance, we could see something similar like what we witnessed on Saturday (November 4), when a portion of the game - almost 75 percent of the match happened, leading to a result being declared rather than a point shared.

Semi-final World Cup 2023 Scenario if NZ vs SL match is washed out

New Zealand will hope there is at least a 20-over match possible to get a result instead of sharing a point with Sri Lanka as the 2 points will see them move to 10 points, strengthening their chances of a top four finish.

Even if the Blackcaps are forced to share a point, they can still progress, but that depends on Pakistan and Afghanistan's result in their final league stage match.

New Zealand progress even if they lose to Sri Lanka, but for that to happen, they will need Pakistan and Afghanistan to lose their matches and finish with a NRR more than the other two teams that could also finish on eight points.