NZ win over Lanka puts Pakistan in improbable spin

New Zealand's victory over Sri Lanka in a World Cup group fixture on Thursday placed Pakistan in a near-impossible situation of qualifying for the semi-finals of the mega event.

Pakistan will play their last group match against England on Saturday (tomorrow). A victory for the 1992 champions would take them to finish with 10 points – same as New Zealand, which are one step ahead of Pakistan on 4th position on the points table.

However, dislodging the Black Caps out of the quartet and placing themselves in the last four, Pakistan would be required to defeat England at least by 287 runs, while batting first, or chase down the England’s target with at least 284 balls to spare, while batting second.

After defeating Sri Lanka by five wickets New Zealand finished the league with 10 points with a net run rate of 0.036. Pakistan, however, have 8 points with a net run rate of -0.338 with their last match coming up over the weekend.

Afghanistan also remain in the race for the remaining final-four spot with one match left but they need a similar improbable winning margin – by 438 runs to surpass New Zealand on net run-rate. For now, India (table-toppers), South Africa and Australia have booked their places in the final-four.

Earlier in Bengaluru, Trent Boult led an inspired bowling display to help New Zealand down Sri Lanka by five wickets. And chasing a modest 172 for victory, New Zealand rode on an opening stand between Devon Conway (45) and Rachin Ravindra (42) to achieve the target with 160 balls to spare.

The Black Caps, in their last league match, bounced back from four straight losses to close in on a likely semi-final clash against undefeated India. Sri Lanka suffered their seventh loss in nine league matches of the 10-nation tournament.

Ravindra, who also took two wickets, added to his blazing form in the tournament, including three centuries to edge past South Africa's Quinton de Kock and top the batting chart with 565 runs.

Both left-handed openers struck regular boundaries before Dushmantha Chameera broke through with the wicket of Conway and soon Ravindra followed his partner to the pavilion.

Williamson fell for 14 and Mark Chapaman was run out but Daryl Mitchell's attacking 43 ensured an easy way home despite his departure 10 runs short of the target.

Boult returned figures of 3-37 after the Kiwis elected to field first and bundled out Sri Lanka for 171 in 46.4 overs. Opener Kusal Perera smashed 51 but the rest of the batting fell apart.

Sri Lanka lost half their side for 70 inside 10 overs. They slipped to 128-9 before number nine Maheesh Theekshana (38 not out) and Dilshan Madushanka (19) put on a 43-run 10th-wicket to add some respect to the total.