In a disappointing turn of events, Pakistan has officially been eliminated from the ICC World Cup 2023. The dream of advancing further in the tournament without depending on other teams has come to an end, marking a historic low for the team.
The primary reason behind Pakistan’s exit can be attributed to their lackluster performance throughout the tournament. Under the captaincy of Babar Azam, the team faced a significant setback by losing four consecutive matches, a first in ODI World Cup history.
The crucial fixture against England proved to be the final blow to Pakistan’s chances. England’s decision to bat first after winning the toss set the tone for a challenging chase. Despite theoretical possibilities, the reality unfolded differently as England posted a formidable total of 337 runs at the loss of nine wickets.
Sitting fifth in the World Cup points table with eight points, Pakistan needed a miraculous victory in their last fixture against England to secure a spot in the semi-finals. The daunting task required them to win by a margin of 287 runs or have 260 balls to spare, surpassing New Zealand’s superior net run-rate. Unfortunately, the Green Shirts fell short, reaching only 30/2 in 6.4 overs, thereby ending their semi-final aspirations.
With this development, the stage is set for the India vs New Zealand semi-final clash at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, scheduled for November 16. In the second semi-final, Australia will face off against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on the same day.
As Pakistan reflects on its World Cup journey, attention now shifts to the remaining teams competing for the prestigious title in what promises to be an exciting semi-final showdown.
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