ICC World Cup 2023 Qualification Scenarios: On Sunday, July 2nd, Sri Lanka trumped minnows Zimbabwe to cement their top finish in the ICC World Cup 2023 Qualifiers. The Lankan Lions got a comprehensive win over Zimbabwe at Bulawayo and subsequently sealed a place for themselves in the ICC World Cup 2023 later in India this year. This article will take you through ICC World Cup 2023 Qualification Scenarios.
After being remained undefeated throughout the group stages, Sri Lanka conquered its final challenge against Zimbabwe on Sunday. With the win, Sri Lanka became the first side to join the already qualified eight teams – India, New Zealand, England, Australia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, South Africa and Pakistan – for the World Cup 2023.
Although Zimbabwe would be disappointed with the loss against Sri Lanka, they still have an overwhelming chance to be the second team to qualify for the marquee ICC tournament in India. Zimbabwe are placed second in the ICC World Cup 2023 Qualifiers Points Table with just a solitary defeat in four matches and six points to their name.
The top two teams at the end of the ICC World Cup 2023 Qualifiers will get the licence to join the automatically qualified eight teams. While Sri Lanka has claimed made its cut to the event, still one place is left to seal with three teams in the fray.
Notably, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is scheduled to be held in India in October-November. The opening fixture of the event is set to be held on October 5 while the final of the event is scheduled on November 19.
Let’s take a look at ICC World Cup 2023 Qualification Scenarios: Which two teams will qualify for ICC World Cup 2023 in India?
Table of Contents
ICC World Cup 2023 Qualification Scenarios
Sri Lanka:
- Match Played: 04
- Win: 04
- Points: 08
- Net Run Rate: +1.817
- Matches Left: 1 (vs West Indies)
With unassailable 8 points from four matches, Sri Lanka has already qualified for the ICC World Cup 2023. No team in the Super Six can threaten Sri Lanka’s top-two finish now, even if they lose their final game against West Indies.
Their ominous form throughout the Qualifiers is a testimony that they certainly deserved a direct qualification, however, it wasn’t meant to be and they had to go through a tedious qualification process to enter the coveted tournament.
Zimbabwe: World Cup 2023 Qualification Scenarios
- Matches Played: 04
- Wins: 03
- Points: 06
- Net run-rate: +0.030
- Matches Left: 1 (vs Scotland)
It was all a fairytale moment for the Zimbabwe Men’s Cricket team until they faced Sri Lanka in Sunday’s fixture of the World Cup 2023 Qualifiers. With an identical win/loss ratio and equal chances to get to the top two finish safely as Sri Lanka’s, Zimbabwe was looking determined.
However, they will now play with the second life to make their World Cup qualification cut. Zimbabwe is set to play against Scotland in their final game and a win would mean that they get the top two finish and a ticket for the World Cup in India. However, a loss would result in depleting their chances and giving some hope to the teams below them.
Scotland:
- Match Played: 03
- Wina: 02
- Points: 04
- Net run-rate: +0.188
- Matches Left: 2 (vs Zimbabwe and Netherlands)
Scotland gave its World Cup 2023 Qualifiers campaign a massive boost following their ravaging win over two times World Cup champions, West Indies. Not on it kept Scotland going strong in the points table, but also effectively eliminated the Windies from the WC race.
Sri Lanka’s rampant win over Zimbabwe would have given a sigh of relief to Scotland, who have got a good chance to equal Scotland’s points or even go past it. Moreover, they have their qualification in their control.
If Scotland manages to win its next two matches against Zimbabwe and Netherlands, it will have a huge chance of making it to the World Cup 2023 in India.
Netherlands:
- Match Played: 3
- Wins: 1
- Points: 2
- Net run-rate: -0.560
- Matches Left: 2 (vs Oman and Scotland)
The Netherlands have denied themselves the top-two finish after losing two of their three matches in the ICC World Cup 2023 Qualifiers. Although it was a foolish thought to write them off too early, only miracles can save them now.
The Dutch players have two games left in their campaign and desperately need two massive wins to continue their hopes. Winning with big margins would go in their favour as their net run rate looks discouraging.
Along with winning their remaining games, the Netherlands will require a few of the fixtures to go their way.
Oman:
- Matches Played: 3
- Wins: 0
- Points: 0
- Net run-rate: -2.139
- Matches Left: Netherlands (3 July), West Indies (5 July)
Along with West Indies, Oman is also done and dusted in the ongoing Qualifiers. Their ICC World Cup 2023 Qualification chances are nil following three consecutive losses in the event.
Although Oman failed to reach the top two finish, they had some encouraging signs throughout their campaign. Icing over the cake for them would be a win from here in the remaining two matches.
West Indies:
- Matches Played: 3
- Wins: 0
- Points: 0
- Net run-rate: -0.510
- Matches Left: 2 (vs Oman and Sri Lanka)
The 1975 and 1979 World Cup champions, West Indies have already been eliminated from the World Cup 2023 race following their poor show throughout the Qualifiers. Scotland handed West Indies a humiliating loss by seven wickets, a night ago, to deny them a World Cup spot.
West Indies couldn’t even win a single game so far in the Super Sixes. They have lost Zimbabwe, Netherlands and Scotland to put a break in their dry run.
The Caribbeans still have two games left in their campaign and they would look to play for their pride. Winning the last two matches would instil some confidence in the dejected characters in the team.
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For more details head to ICC’s official website.