This question was unthinkable before yesterday as we did not know if Pakistan would qualify for the semi final of the World Cup and it looked like it would be India and South Africa who would be the 2 teams from Group 2 to go through to the semi final. However as we say in sport never say never as yesterday what happened was nothing short of a miracle for Pakistan and all cricket fans.
The question is not whether they can play the final because they can but will they and what these 2 teams need to do to ensure that on the 13th at the MCG it is an India vs Pakistan final. Let’s find out
Pakistan
We will first talk about Pakistan and their journey to the semi final and then what they will need to do to beat New Zealand. Pakistan had an up and down journey in this World Cup as they lost their first 2 matches by a close margin and then their fans were sad that they would get knocked out of the World Cup. However they won their last 3 Matches including the one against South Africa and then yesterday Netherlands knocked South Africa out of the World Cup and now Pakistan is in the semi final.
What Pakistan need to do in semi final
Pakistan will play their semi final vs New Zealand at the SCG on 9th and it has been shown that SCG is more favorable to Pakistan and they will need to bat better than they have and especially their opening which has not fired till now. They will need to get New Zealand out for a lie because if they let New Zealand get a big score then it will be trouble.
India
India have had a much better journey than Pakistan in this World Cup as they finished with 8 points from 5 Matches with 4 wins. India won a very close match vs Pakistan and then they beat Netherlands very easily. They lost against South Africa but then they beat Bangladesh and Zimbabwe and are on top of the group. They will be confident going into the semi final.
What India need to do in semi final
India will play against England in the second semi final at Adelaide on 10th November and there could have not been a better news for India at Adelaide and Virat Kohli has a unbelievable run record at that ground so they just need to play their natural game and they should be able to beat England but their top order especially Rohit Sharma needs to score runs.
