Pakistan’s chances of qualifying in the semi-finals has taken a serious hit on Wednesday after a 60-runs defeat against New Zealand at Karachi’s National Stadium. With the loss Pakistan now sits at the bottom of Group A with a net run rate of -1200. Their hopes of advancing to the semi-finals are now hanging by a thread, with the team needing to win both of their remaining group stage matches to have a realistic chance.
How Can Pakistan Qualify In Semi-Final?
If Pakistan wants to make it to the semi-finals as both the matches are a must win. But even if Pakistan wins both the matches, their qualification is not guaranteed as the net run rate will become a deciding factor. Now Pakistan will be playing against their arch-rivals India on February 23 as India is the toughest opponent for Pakistan and it will be very difficult for them to qualify.
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This defeat places Pakistan on the brink of elimination, and with their next fixture against India a do-or-die affair after this loss, a defeat now threatens to kick them out of the tournament altogether. Sunday’s match, then, is do-or-die for the Men in Green.
Pakistan Vs New Zealand
New Zealand bashed out a resounding 320/5 off their 50 overs, which left Pakistan bowlers reeling under the hammering. Shaheen Afridi was knocked for wicketless 68 runs, and Haris Rauf gave 83 runs and 2 wickets. The most economical one among them was Abrar Ahmed, who scalped 1/47 with his spell. All this being said, still, the Pakistani bowlers couldn’t stop the New Zealand batters from picking up runs without any resistance. In response, Pakistan’s batting had no sense of urgency or purpose.
Babar Azam’s half-century (64 from 90 balls) was agonizingly slow, and though Khushdil Shah made a gallant knock of 69 from 49 balls, it was too little, too late to be effective. The Men in Green could not get into gear or develop any significant partnerships, and the required run rate continued to increase as the game wore on.
