The ODI World Cup 2023 has been nothing short of thrilling, with nail-biting encounters and unexpected twists. One more such high-stakes clash recently went underway at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru, as New Zealand faced Pakistan on a Saturday (November 4.) The match saw Pakistan winning the toss and choosing to bat first, but what looms over the game is the looming threat of rain.
With the chances of rain fluctuating throughout the day and reaching a staggering 96% around 2:00 pm IST, the possibility of overs being cut short or the match being called off is very high. On that note, here’s an analysis of what will happen if the match between these two formidable sides is washed out.
What will happen if the New Zealand vs Pakistan match ends in a washout
In the worst-case scenario, if the match is called off due to persistent rain, then both teams will receive one point each. This would have different implications for New Zealand and Pakistan in their quest for a spot in the semi-finals.
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Washout impact on New Zealand
New Zealand currently stands at 8 points from 8 matches, and if the Pakistan match ends in a washout, they will move up to 9 points. With one match left to play against Sri Lanka, a victory in that game would take them to 11 points, likely securing their place in the semi-finals. The Blackcaps would then be in a strong position to advance to the knockout stages.
Washout impact on Pakistan
For Pakistan, a washout would significantly dent their semi-final aspirations. With just one point from the match, they would only reach a total of 7 points and to have any chance of reaching the semi-finals, they would then need a series of favourable outcomes.
After a washout, Pakistan would first rely on Sri Lanka to defeat New Zealand and then win their last game against England. This would take Pakistan’s total to 9 points, the same as New Zealand. However, qualification would then depend on net run rate, which could be a daunting task for the Green Team given New Zealand’s current superior net run rate.
