Cricket World Cup 2023: How Afghanistan can still qualify for the semi-finals?

Although their chances are slim, Afghanistan could still qualify for the 2023 Cricket World Cup Semi Finals if they win their next three matches.

Cricket World Cup 2023: How Afghanistan can still qualify for the semi-finals?

The Afghanistan Cricket Team celebrate a wicket (Image via ESPN)

Afghanistan was one team which fans and competitors took lightly. In the previous World Cup, they had gone in the entire tournament without a single win. But there is a huge difference between the team in the 2019 World Cup and the one in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. 

In the 2023 World Cup, Afghanistan have won 3 out of the 6 games they have played. After losing their first two matches to Bangladesh and India, they beat defending champions England. After a loss to New Zealand, they beat rivals Pakistan and beat Sri Lanka as well. 

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Currently 6th on the table, Afghanistan can still make it to the semi finals of the World Cup. They need to win their remaining 3 games against Netherlands, Australia and South Africa to get 12 points. As long as they finish the group stage with 12 points, they will avoid getting disqualified due to Net Run Rate. 

If Afghanistan do lose one match out of the remaining three, their qualification will be based on their NRR. If Pakistan manage to beat New Zealand, their chances of qualification will increase. By beating Australia on 7th November, Afghanistan could find themselves being serious contenders for a spot in the Semi Final. 

Afghanistan need to ensure they don’t lose 2 matches out of the three remaining. Losing two of those matches would mean disqualification for them. Despite their great run so far, the road to the Semi Finals is tough as they face two heavyweights, Australia and South Africa. 

Related: “It is not a bed of roses,” Shahid Afridi tears down Babar Azam after loss to Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s run in previous World Cups

Afghanistan made their World Cup debut in 2015 as an associate nation. Their first World Cup campaign didn’t start well, as they lost their first two games against Bangladesh and New Zealand. They did manage to beat Scotland, their first World Cup victory, but ended their tournament with only that win. 

Afghanistan Cricket Team
Afghanistan Cricket Team won their first World Cup match in 2015 by beating Scotland. (Image via ESPN)

Their 2019 ODI World Cup was disastrous, failing to win a single match. Afghanistan’s fixture against England was a record breaking, as Eoin Morgan and his men put up 397 against the Afghanistan team. Rashid Khan was hit for 110 runs while Eoin Morgan hit the most sixes in an innings (17), breaking Rohit Sharma’s record. 

Afghanistan went into the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup with low expectations due their performance in the previous World Cup. They did lose their first two matches, but then beat Defending Champions England by 69 runs. After losing to New Zealand, they responded with 2 dominating wins over Pakistan and Sri Lanka. They will now face Netherlands on 3rd November in the Ekana Stadium, Lucknow. 

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