Trent Boult led an inspired bowling display to help New Zealand down Sri Lanka by five wickets on Thursday and move to the brink ICC World Cup 2023 semi-finals.
Chasing a modest 172 for victory, New Zealand rode on an open stand between Devon Conway (45) and Rachin Ravindra (42) to reach the target with 160 balls to spare in Bengaluru.
The Kiwis remain in fourth place with 10 points ahead of Pakistan and Afghanistan and a much better net run rate than their rivals.“There are a few teams that could achieve similar points,” New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said. “It’s out of our control, we have a few trainings, a few days off, I don’t know how it will look but it’s great.”
Also read: Crushed, but not beaten
Both Pakistan and Afghanistan need incredible margins of victory in their last games against England and South Africa respectively to have any chance of reaching the last four. India, South Africa and Australia have already booked their places in all four of the ten-team tournament. AFP Sport looks at the quality cases needed to make it to the fourth semi-final.
New Zealand
Played: 9
Points: 10
Net current rate: 0.743
Runners-up in the previous two editions, New Zealand can now only wait for Pakistan and Afghanistan to complete their series run. But barring a miracle, the Kiwis will face India in the first semi-final in Mumbai on November 15.
Pakistan
Played: 8
Points: 8
Net current rate: 0.036
Remaining game: v England (in Kolkata on Saturday)
The 1992 champions need to win their last match by at least 287 runs.
Afghanistan
Played: 8
Points: 8
Net current rate: -0.338
Remaining game: v South Africa (in Ahmedabad on Friday)
Afghanistan need to win by at least 438 runs to beat New Zealand on the current net rate. Afghanistan also have the worst run rate among the three teams.
(With agency input)
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