Why Pakistan is in with a chance to make semifinals after beating New Zealand via DLS method

Pakistan and New Zealand have one match left, against England and Sri Lanka respectively, and whichever team gets the better result will finish higher on the points table.

Pakistan's Babar Azam celebrates after reaching his half century REUTERS

Pakistan captain Babar Azam celebrates after reaching his half century against New Zealand on Saturday. (PHOTO: REUTERS)

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Pakistan’s rain-affected but nevertheless remarkable victory over New Zealand has definitely put the cat among the pigeons as far as semi final qualification is concerned. The Kiwis – who suffered their fourth successive defeat – have left it to their final league match.

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As it stands, Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan and Australia are on 8 points each (with the Australia-England match still on). Pakistan and New Zealand have one match left, against England and Sri Lanka respectively, and whichever team gets the better result will finish higher on the points table. If both Pakistan and New Zealand get the same result, it comes down to net run rate, with the Kiwis slightly ahead on that count.

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Afghanistan are also in the reckoning, but have matches against Australia and South Africa, and will start as underdogs in both.

As far as the Aussies are concerned, after the England and Afghanistan fixtures, they finish their league engagements against Bangladesh, and should fancy their semi final chances.