Pakistan have been handed a huge lifeline in their quest of qualifying for the 2023 World Cup semi-finals.
After four consecutive defeats, Babar Azam's team were on the verge of an early exit from the tournament. However, they made a quick turnaround against Bangladesh to complete a commanding win and earn a significant improvement in their net run rate.
Just as Pakistan got their act together, New Zealand – one of the teams in the race for the last-four spot – went completely off track.
In their high-profile clash against South Africa, not only did the Black Caps lose, they got thrashed by a huge margin of 190 runs. That result provided an opening for teams like Pakistan and Afghanistan to push for a late charge towards the final stretch of the group phase.
Pakistan's next match is against New Zealand in Bengaluru on Saturday (9am start UAE time), which will go a long way in deciding where both teams stand in the qualification race.
What Pakistan need to do in their match against New Zealand
New Zealand are currently on four wins and three defeats with a net run rate of 0.484, while Pakistan have three wins and four defeats for a NRR of -0.024. Pakistan can move ahead of New Zealand if they defeat the Kiwis either by a margin of around 84 runs or chase the target inside 35 overs.
In that scenario, both teams will be on eight points but Pakistan will have a marginally better net run rate and have a much clearer shot at two remaining semi-final spots since both India and South Africa already have six wins apiece.
However, if Pakistan lose the match against the Kiwis, that would mean the end of their World Cup, more or less, as they can only rise eight points at best if they defeat England in their final group game. Then, Australia will need to win one out of their remaining three games, or ensure they don't loose too badly to push Pakistan out of the race.
Weather in Bengaluru
The forecast for the day match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Bengaluru is for a cloudy day with chance for light rains.
There is high probability of rain from the weekend onwards, and Pakistan will be hoping for a full game as shared points will do them no good.
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Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman plays a shot on his way to a score of 81 in the Cricket World Cup match against Bangladesh in Kolkata on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. AP -
Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan plays a shot. AP -
Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan, right, celebrates with teammate Najmul Hossain Shanto after taking the wicket of Pakistan captain Babar Azam. AP -
Pakistan's captain Babar Azam after being dismissed for nine runs. AP -
Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman hits out. AP -
Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman celebrates his half-century. AP -
Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan celebrates the wicket of Pakistan's Abdullah Shafique. AP -
Pakistan's Abdullah Shafique celebrates his fifty. AP -
Pakistan's Abdullah Shafique plays a shot during. AP -
Pakistan's Salman Ali Agha takes the catch to get Bangladesh's captain Shakib Al Hasan. AP -
Bangladesh's captain Shakib Al Hasan plays a shot. AP -
Bangladesh's Mahmudullah is bowled out by Shaheen Afridi. AP -
Bangladesh's Mahmudullah celebrates after reaching his half-century. AFP -
Bangladesh's Mahmudullah dives to make his ground as Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan tries to run him out. AP -
Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi celebrates the wicket of Bangladesh's Mahmudullah. AP -
Pakistan's Haris Rauf celebrates after taking the wicket of Bangladesh's Mushfiqur Rahim. AFP -
Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Bangladesh's Najmul Hossain Shanto. AFP -
Bangladesh's Litton Das after losing his wicket for 45. AP -
Pakistan's Haris Rauf drops a catch off a shot played by Bangladesh's Mohammad Mahmudullah. AP -
Bangladesh's Litton Das plays a shot. AP -
Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi celebrates after taking the wicket of Bangladesh's Tanzid Hasan. AFP
