South Africa became the second team to qualify for the ICC World Cup 2023 semi-finals on Saturday as a result of Pakistan defeating New Zealand on Saturday in Bengaluru.
The Proteas, with 12 points from seven games so far, join hosts India in booking a place in the last four.
Pakistan, New Zealand and Afghanistan have eight points each but all four will be unable to match the 12 of South Africa in the last week of group games.
Meanwhile, Australia can move ahead of South Africa in the table if they win the remaining three games and the Proteas lose two.
Australia are currently facing England and if they beat them, they will be at 10 points in the competition.
It must be noted that the Men in Green defeated New Zealand by 21 (DLS method) runs in the 35th match of the ICC World Cup 2023 at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Despite a win, Pakistan's path to the World Cup semi-final remains difficult as they don't have things in their own hands but are still dependent on the results of New Zealand and Afghanistan.
As much as Pakistan need to beat England on November 11 in Kolkata and pray that Sri Lanka do their job against the Black Caps in Bengaluru on November 9, the Men in Green need Afghanistan to lose one of their remaining two matches — against Australia and South Africa — or both (preferably) because the Afghans have same points (8) as Babar Azam's men despite playing one less match.
