The race for the top four spots is intensifying as the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 is coming to its business end. New Zealand will face Pakistan in a high-stakes league match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Pakistan’s target has been reduced to 342 in 41 overs, which means it needs 182 runs to win from 19.3 overs (117 balls).
Pakistan’s 402-run chase against New Zealand was interrupted due to rain in the 21st over of the innings. However, Pakistan, which was 150 for one in 21.3 overs, was ahead of the DLS par score of 150.
On match eve, after a spell of blistering afternoon sunshine, the heavens opened, and there were gusty winds. However, the weather has behaved on Saturday morning and chances of rain peak at just 56 percent at about 5:00 PM IST, according to AccuWeather.
The cloud cover has also reduced by a fair amount. It was around 73 percent ahead of the toss but the skies seem to have cleared up for now, with a cloud cover of just 47 percent.
However, the city’s weather is known to be unpredictable and both teams will hope the rains stay away, Pakistan more so than New Zealand.
If Saturday’s match is washed out, Pakistan will be virtually eliminated from the semifinals race as it will only be able to get to a maximum of nine points, provided it wins its last league game against England.
New Zealand, on eight points, will take its tally to nine with a game in hand - against Sri Lanka.
Australia and Afghanistan, both on eight points, are yet to play each other and one of them is bound to get to 10 points, unless their clash is abandoned.
India and South Africa are sitting pretty with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
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