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The ongoing 2023 Cricket World Cup is heating up as teams compete for the prestigious trophy. The group stage features a 10-team round robin format, with each nation facing off against one another. The top four teams from the league table will advance to the semi-finals. In the previous edition held four years ago, New Zealand secured a spot in the semi-finals with five wins and one no result from their nine games. However, Pakistan also had the same record but missed out due to a lower net run rate than New Zealand.

Net run rate is an important factor in determining team standings. It is calculated by subtracting the average runs per over conceded by a team from the average runs they scored per over. This calculation is based on the full 50 overs, regardless of the number of overs completed by the team. While teams hope to secure their position based on wins alone, net run rate may play a crucial role in deciding the rankings.

Let’s take a look at what each team needs to qualify for the Cricket World Cup semi-finals:

1. England:
England’s tournament started off on a rough note with a nine-wicket defeat to New Zealand and a 69-run loss to Afghanistan. However, they still have six games remaining, beginning with a match against South Africa. If England can win five out of these six games, they will likely secure a spot in the semi-finals. Even winning four games might give them a chance, but they will need to significantly improve their net run rate. England has shown resilience in the past, and they will need to perform at their best to qualify.

2. India:
Hosts India are leading the tournament with a flawless record of four wins from four matches. They have defeated strong teams like Pakistan and Australia, along with Afghanistan and Bangladesh. With just two more wins from their remaining five games, they can secure a spot in the semi-finals.

3. Australia:
Like their Ashes rivals England, Australia faced a slow start with losses in their first two games. However, they bounced back by defeating Sri Lanka and bowling out Pakistan for 305 runs. With the same number of points as Pakistan but a higher net run rate, Australia is currently in a better position. They need to continue their winning momentum to secure a place in the semi-finals.

4. Pakistan:
Pakistan has won two out of their four games, but defeats against India and Australia have made their qualification challenging. They will need to beat at least three, if not four, of Afghanistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and England to make it to the semi-finals.

5. New Zealand:
Based on their performance in 2019, New Zealand can potentially qualify for the semi-finals by winning just one more game out of their remaining five. However, they have tough fixtures ahead, including matches against India, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Nonetheless, their unbeaten streak so far gives them a good chance of making it to the final four.

6. South Africa:
South Africa started the tournament strongly but faced a humbling defeat against the Netherlands. They have talented players in their roster, and three wins from their remaining six games should be enough to secure a spot in the semi-finals due to their high net run rate.

7. Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka is the only team in the competition yet to win a match. Their chances of qualification seem grim, but winning all their remaining games could still give them a glimmer of hope.

8. Bangladesh:
Bangladesh has the same record as England and Australia, but a significantly lower net run rate makes their prospects of reaching the semi-finals challenging.

9. Afghanistan:
After going winless in all nine games in 2019, Afghanistan grabbed their first World Cup win in 17 matches by defeating England. However, their chances of reaching the final four remain slim. They would need to win all of their remaining matches against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, Australia, South Africa, and India to qualify.

10. Netherlands:
Although the Netherlands displayed their strength with a stunning victory over South Africa, their chances of making it to the semi-finals are still unlikely. They would have to defeat Sri Lanka, Australia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, England, and India, which seems highly improbable considering they haven’t beaten any of these teams in ODIs since 2010.

With the competition intensifying, these teams will battle it out on the field for a place in the Cricket World Cup semi-finals.

Source: [iNews](https://inews.co.uk)