IND vs PAK Semifinal Scenario, World Cup 2023: How India-Pakistan can clash in the Semi Finals?

Add as a preferred source on Google

India and Pakistan are two giants of cricket and perhaps the flagship encounter in every tournament that they take part in.

In an arena such as grand as World Cup, it is obvious that the encounter between these two rivals brings the biggest attraction. Likewise, the hype for an India-Pakistan meet in the knockout stages is massive.

In the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023, the two teams have already locked horns in the group stages. India mauled Pakistan in Ahmedabad, but there is an anticipation that these two teams may again meet in the semifinals or the Final.

Although Pakistan's topsy-turvy campaign casts doubt over the possibility, there is no harm in expecting the creating a scenario of a potential semifinal clash between India and Pakistan.

World Cup 2023 Semifinals Rules

There will be four teams advancing to the semifinals in the World Cup. The 1st placed team in the table will meet the 4th placed team, while the 2nd and 3rd placed teams will clash against each other.

India are currently on top of the table with 14 points after seven matches. Pakistan, on the other hand, are sitting 5th with 6 points after 7 matches. There is a faint chance for the Pakistan side to finish third in the table, as the most realistic finish they can achieve is 4th, and in that case India will have to stay at top come to the end of group stages.

India vs Pakistan: How India-Pakistan can meet in the Semifinals?

Scenario 1 - India finish 2nd, Pakistan finish 3rd

Pakistan will have to win their remaining two matches, and then they will finish with 10 points. If Pakistan wins their next two, and New Zealand and Australia lose their remaining matches, Pakistan can finish 3rd in the table provided Afghanistan win narrowly against the Aussies and lose against South Africa.

India will have to finish 2nd to meet Pakistan, and that can only happen if they lose against South Africa and then fail to overcome South Africa's NRR in their match against the Netherlands (consider India will beat the Netherlands and South Africa will beat Afghanistan).

Scenario 2 - India finish 1st, Pakistan finish 4th

This is a much more realistic scenario for the two teams. India are currently on top and will have to beat South Africa to ensure their summit place finish in the table.

For Pakistan, two victories are necessary and then they can attain the 4th position. In that case, Australia can claim the third spot with two victories out of their last three matches, or even one victory will do as they have a superior NRR.

India vs Pakistan: Where will India-Pakistan play?

If Pakistan qualify for the semifinals, then they are certain to play at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Generally, the Eden Gardens is supposed to host the Semifinal 2, which is between 2nd and 3rd placed team, but if Pakistan reach last four, they will be playing Kolkata despite finishing 4th in the table.