Pakistan's ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 campaign had freakish similarities to their title-winning run under mercurial Imran Khan in 1992, but their dependence on other teams to make the knock-outs have backfired in a brutal manner.
On Wednesday, England thrashed New Zealand to justify the favourites tag given to them and also entered the semifinals for the first time since 1992. Ironically, it also effectively ended 1992 champions Pakistan's campaign.
After resurrecting their campaign after losing to India, Pakistan needed either their arch-rivals or the Kiwis to beat England. On the contrary, both sides suffered big defeats. Pakistani fans and former players claimed that India deliberately lose the match to keep their traditional rivals away from the semifinals. Well, it seems like the Kiwis also don't want to see Pakistan in the semifinals.
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England's 119-run win in Chester-le-Street on Wednesday left Pakistan with an improbable task of beating Bangladesh, in their final group match by some astronomical margins overtake New Zealand at fourth.
Here's a look at the permutations:
Pakistan need to beat Bangladesh -
- by 311 runs after scoring 350,
- by 316 runs after scoring 400,
- by 321 runs after scoring 450;
- If Bangladesh bat first, Pakistan are as good as eliminated.
The net run rate for Pakistan is currently at -0.792, as against New Zealand's +0.175. The whole hoopla is surrounding this net differential.
Now, sadly for Pakistani fans, there will be no talks of 2019 is 1992. Read hilarious fan reactions:
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Pakistan play Bangladesh on July 5 (Friday) at Lord's in London. Byt the way, the improbable equation notwithstanding, Pakistan have lost four matches to Bangladesh.
