Pakistan’s path to semi-finals very difficult (Photo: PTI)
We do not want to disappoint the fans of Pakistan. But the truth is that it is not at all the case that Pakistan team has made a comeback in the World Cup with the victory over Bangladesh. All that has happened is that Pakistan has got a chance to breathe. The team’s problems still persist. Before talking about this problem, let us tell you that Bangladesh had set a target of only 205 runs for Pakistan to win. Which Pakistan team achieved by losing 3 wickets in 32.3 overs. With this, he now has 6 points in the points table and is at 5th position. Pakistan team has achieved this victory in 105 balls, hence its run rate has also improved a bit. But the problem is that the path ahead is more difficult for Pakistan.
Pakistan has to play a match against New Zealand on 4 November. After this, they have to face England on 11th November. Looking at the current form of England, it can be said that Pakistan can defeat them. But this does not apply at all to the New Zealand team. Because the New Zealand team is one of the most balanced teams in this World Cup. The mathematics of the points table is such that Pakistan has little hope of reaching the top-4 only if it wins both the remaining matches. This is not such an easy task. Let us understand the story in some detail.
Read: Do you know about the problem of New Zealand? After all, why is there suspense in this team’s semi-final journey?
Difficult for Pakistan to defeat New Zealand
The New Zealand team also reached the final in 2019. England had definitely won the title on the basis of the shocking and controversial rule of more boundaries. But the New Zealand team had performed amazingly. Which also includes the victory against India in the semi-finals by defending only 239 runs. Now let’s talk about this World Cup. Don’t forget that New Zealand was the first to cause trouble to defending champion England. When New Zealand achieved the target of 283 runs by losing just 1 wicket. That too when there were 82 balls left in the match. After this, New Zealand defeated Netherlands by 99 runs, Bangladesh by 8 wickets and Afghanistan by 149 runs. It has definitely faced defeat against India and Australia. But the team’s preparations look much better. Most of the cricket fans are including the New Zealand team in the top-4. New Zealand also has to face South Africa today. The result of this match will also clear the picture. Only after this it faces competition from Pakistan. And he has to play the last league match against Sri Lanka. This means that a lot of upheaval is still possible in the points table.
Pakistan played for its fans
Now Pakistan should do only one thing. He should only take care of the feelings of his fans. Let us tell you that cricket fans of India and Pakistan are similar. After the attack on Sri Lankan team in 2009, there was a long break in international cricket in Pakistan. Now international cricket is slowly resuming, but the enthusiasm among the fans is not there which was there before 2009. These are those fans who used to go to the stadium without worrying about heat and rain. These are those fans who were victims of lathicharge in the crowd. These are those fans who are ready to go to any extent to get a picture with their favorite cricketer or to get his autograph. These are not Australian cricket fans who are buying sandwiches from international cricketers while standing in the queue next to them and only a few people go near them to get their photos clicked. Here even if a former cricketer goes out on the road, people surround him. In such a situation, Pakistan team should not stop at the victory against Bangladesh. Pakistan’s effort should be to play good matches to keep the hearts of its fans. Fought on the field in the remaining matches. It is not that he returned after kneeling.
Apart from showing courage, luck is also needed
Let us also tell you the equation after the victory against Bangladesh. According to the format of the World Cup, the top four teams of the points table will qualify for the semi-finals. If Pakistan team wins the next two matches then it will have a total of ten points in its account. Along with this, the first thing Pakistan will have to do is to win by a big margin, so that its net run rate also improves. After this comes the story of destiny. Along with Pakistan’s victory, it is also important that Australia loses its remaining three matches. Australia still has to play matches against England, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. In this situation, Australia will remain at 8 points only. If the New Zealand team also loses its remaining three matches, then only 8 points will remain in its account. This also includes today’s match against South Africa. Similar equations apply with the teams of Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. That is, the overall story is that first Pakistan has to win all its matches and after that it has to rely on words like because, but, but, but. Pakistan’s fight is not over yet.
Know: The complete equation of Pakistani team going to the semi-finals
