How Bangladesh can still qualify for semifinals ...

India endured a loss to England on Sunday, and it dimmed the chance of Bangladesh to qualify for the semifinals of the ongoing ICC Men’s World Cup in England and Wales.

However, though not easy as it was expected, Bangladesh still have the chance to qualify for the semifinals.

With two matches to play, Bangladesh secured seven points from the  matches they have played in the World Cup so far. Mashrafe Bin Mortaza-led Bangladesh are now at number six on the point table.

To confirm a semifinals berth, they have to surpass Pakistan and England, who are at number five and four on the points table respectively with 9 and 10 points. 

Bangladesh still have two matches to play. If they come up victorious in both of them, they will have 11 points to their name. At the same time, they have to expect England’s defeat to New Zealand. 

Though the route that Bangladesh have to pass to secure a semifinals berth is very tough, they have no other way left to go through. 

Australia are the only team in this World Cup who have already confirmed their place in the semifinals stage. But the other three places are still complicated.

India, who are at number two on the points table, still need a point to confirm their place. They have two matches to play- one against Bangladesh and the other one against Sri Lanka. If they lose both of them, they might be eliminated from the race, though, it is unlikely to happen. 

In contrast, if India win two of their remaining matches, they will have a place secured in the semifinals stage and Bangladesh will be eliminated from the race. 

New Zealand, who are at number three on the points table, also need a point to secure a semifinals berth. They only have one match to play and that is against England. If they lose that match, England will go through, and New Zealand’s fate will depend on Bangladesh’s results against India and Pakistan. 

Pakistan, who are at number four on the points table, still have the chance to end the league stage game being one of the top four teams. If they win their last game against Bangladesh and England, New Zealand lose theirs, Pakistan will find a place in the last four. 

However, the race for the last three spots of semifinals stage is really complicated right now. Bangladesh are still in the race along with India, New Zealand, England and Pakistan, though the task is very much tough for the Tigers.

Source: unb