ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 semi-final scenarios: England qualify to join India, Australia; Pakistan face near-impossible task

South Africa, Afghanistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are out of reckoning while Australia, England and India made it to this year’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 semi-finals. With four matches remaining in the league stage, two teams fighting to make it to the last-four stage. Let’s have a look at what each team needs to do make it to the final four. New Zealand Remaining matches: - How can they qualify: New Zealand and Pakistan could be looked on 11 points and five wins each if the latter go on to beat Bangladesh. But the third tiebreaker in net run rate is significantly skewed in the Black Caps’ favour. Their net run rate despite three successive defeats stands at +0.175 as against Pakistan’s current -0.792. Australia (first to qualify) Remaining matches: South Africa Australia became the first team to qualify after their resounding win over England at Lord’s. If they beat South Africa then they will finish on top and if they lose against South Africa and India also lose against Sri Lanka then they will finish at the top position. India (second to qualify) Remaining matches: Sri Lanka India became the second team to qualify for the semis for the third consecutive time in a World Cup by beating Bangladesh by 28 runs. If South Africa beat Australia and India beat Sri Lanka then Virat Kohli’s side will finish at top position. England (third to qualify) England became the third team to qualify for the semis of this year’s World Cup after beating New Zealand by 119 runs at Chester-le-Street. Pakistan Remaining matches: Bangladesh How can they qualify?: Pakistan need to bat first and score at least 308 runs. If they score 308 runs then they need to beat Bangladesh by 308 runs. If they score 350 runs then need to beat Bangladesh by 312 runs, and if they score 400 runs then need to beat Bangladesh by 316 runs. If they make 450 runs then need to beat Bangladesh by 321 runs. If Pakistan can’t achieve any of the mentioned targets then New Zealand will qualify for the semis. If Bangladesh bat first then Pakistan will be automatically eliminated and New Zealand will qualify for the semi-finals. So the semi-finalist could well be decided at the toss.