Former India captain Sourav Ganguly needs Pakistan to qualify for the World Cup 2023 semi last. Right here’s why.

India, South Africa, and Australia have secured their spots within the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-finals. The race for the fourth spot is intense, with New Zealand, Pakistan, and Afghanistan vying for it. The group that clinches the fourth spot will face host India within the knockout stage. In the meantime, former India captain Sourav Ganguly hopes for Pakistan to safe the essential fourth spot, setting the stage for an intense India vs Pakistan semi-final showdown in Kolkata.

“I would like Pakistan to succeed in the semi-finals and play India. It could possibly’t be a much bigger semi-final than that,” Sourav Ganguly advised Sports activities Tak, in response to Hindustan Instances.

Based on ICC taking part in situations, the group that holds the highest rank within the factors desk goes up in opposition to the fourth-ranked group within the semi-finals. With Australia and South Africa set to face one another within the semi-final, India can be up in opposition to both Pakistan, New Zealand, or Afghanistan of their semi-final match.

Furthermore, India’s semi-final venue hinges on the opponent: if going through New Zealand or Afghanistan, it’s Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15; if in opposition to Pakistan, it shifts to Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 16. Curiously, Eden Gardens was pre-determined as Pakistan’s semi-final venue, including to Sourav Ganguly’s need for an India vs Pakistan blockbuster at his house turf.

Additionally Learn

How can an India vs Pakistan semi-final conflict be potential?

At present, New Zealand appears to have a slight benefit over Afghanistan and Pakistan, because of their higher web run price (+0.398). The Males In Inexperienced have the second-best NRR among the many three groups. If New Zealand lose to Sri Lanka of their upcoming match or if the match will get washed out, a win for Pakistan in opposition to England will drastically improve their possibilities of qualifying and going through India within the semis. Nonetheless, if New Zealand wins, the Babar Azam-led aspect won’t solely must defeat England but in addition want to take action with an enormous margin.