DUBAI: Pakistan is confident to secure the last spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup 2024 in South Africa. However, their Asian counterpart Bangladesh still has a chance to surpass them. Three out of four semi-finalists have been determined, leaving one slot open for contention on the final day of the Super Six action.
Ticking all the boxes ✅
All focus shifts to #PAKvBAN as Pakistan will look to continue their momentum in search of a place in the #U19WorldCup semi-finals 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/v5z9JVwa83
— ICC (@ICC) February 3, 2024
Australia, South Africa, and India have already secured their places in the semis. The battle for the fourth spot in the knockout stage will be decided in the match between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Benoni on Saturday. Pakistan currently holds the advantage, occupying the second position in Group 1 standings. Yet, Bangladesh could potentially overtake them with a significant win in the upcoming match.
Pakistan maintains a two-point lead over Bangladesh and a favorable net run rate (+1.064 compared to +0.348). To surpass Pakistan, Bangladesh will likely need to secure a victory by more than 51 runs if they bat first or chase down the target within 38.3 overs if they bat second.
Unless Bangladesh secures a convincing victory, Pakistan is expected to claim the last spot in the semi-finals, finishing second in Group 1. In that scenario, they would face Australia, the top team from Group 2, in the semi-finals. South Africa, finishing second in Group 2, is set to face the top team from Group 1, which is likely to be India.