The 2023 Cricket World Cup commenced on October 5th and has now progressed to its final stages. A total of 10 teams participated in the tournament, engaging in a round-robin format with each team playing 9 matches—one against every other team. As of now, India, South Africa, and Australia have secured their spots in the semi-finals.
However, the competition for the 4th spot in the semi-finals remains intense, with New Zealand, Pakistan, and Afghanistan each accumulating 8 points. If one team wins while the other two face defeat, the victorious team will comfortably secure a semi-final berth. In the event that more than one team emerges victorious, the determination of the 4th semi-finalist will be based on the Net Run Rate.
CWC 2023 Semi-Final! Mumbai or Kolkata?
According to the schedule, the first semi-final is set for November 15th in Mumbai, while the second semi-final is scheduled for November 16th in Kolkata. However, these arrangements are subject to change based on certain scenarios. Let’s delve into the details.
The contenders for the second semi-final spot have been confirmed as South Africa and Australia. The second semi-final is designated to take place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 16th.
As for the first semi-final, it will feature the teams securing the 1st and 4th positions in the points table. India has already secured the 1st spot. However, the identity of the 4th team will only be determined after the completion of matches involving New Zealand, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
If New Zealand or Afghanistan qualify for the semi-finals, India will face either of them at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. On the other hand, if Pakistan secures a spot in the semi-final, then the clash between India and Pakistan will take place at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, while South Africa and Australia will compete in Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium
ICC World Cup 2023 Pakistan Concerns Venue
This situation arose due to the PCB’s request to the ICC and BCCI, urging them not to schedule Pakistan’s matches in Mumbai, citing security concerns. Both the ICC and BCCI acquiesced to this request, resulting in all of Pakistan’s matches being held at various locations across the country, excluding Mumbai.
In the event that Pakistan qualifies for the semi-finals, a clash with India in the 1st semi-final in Mumbai. However, owing to the venue restriction in Mumbai, the match will be relocated to Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Consequently, the 2nd semi-final clash between South Africa and Australia will be shifted to Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Regardless of the venue, an India vs. Pakistan match is always electrifying and a treat for the cricketing community. However, it is highly improbable for Pakistan to qualify for the semi-finals due to New Zealand’s higher run rate. For Pakistan to secure a spot in the semi-finals, they would need to win by a significant margin.