U19 CWC 2024 State of Play - How your team reaches the semi-finals

By Jonathan Healy

With just six matches remaining prior to the knockout stages of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, eight teams still remain in contention for a spot in the semi-finals.

Despite unbeaten runs at the event from India, Pakistan and Australia, no team is yet to clinch a semi-final berth as spots in the final four are likely to be decided by net run rate.

Group 1

India (six points, +3.327 net run rate)

Leading run-scorer: Musheer Khan - 325
Leading wicket-taker: Saumy Pandey - 12
Remaining fixture: v Nepal, February 2

The reigning champions are undefeated through four matches at the tournament and have got one foot already in the semi-finals ahead of their final encounter against Nepal.

A victory would ensure India a place in the knockout stages of the event and they would likely qualify in first place in Group One and be matched up against the second-placed team from Group 2 in the semis.

A loss to Nepal could see India mathematically miss the semi-finals, but that would require Bangladesh defeating Pakistan and both teams finishing the Super Six phase with a higher net run rate than India.

Pakistan (six points, +1.064 net run rate)

Leading run-scorer: Shahzaib Khan - 234
Leading wicket-taker: Ubaid Shah - 12
Remaining fixture: v Bangladesh, February 3

Like arch-rival India, Pakistan too are unbeaten at the tournament and in a strong position to reach the semi-finals.

A victory over Bangladesh in Benoni on Saturday will ensure their qualification, while a narrow loss might also be enough to see Pakistan edge into the final four should their net run rate stay in front of Bangladesh.

It's likely Pakistan will finish in second place on the Group 1 standings and face a tricky match-up against the top team from Group 2 in the semi-finals, with a potential match-up in the final against India should both teams win their respective semis.

Bangladesh (four points, +0.348 net run rate)

Leading run-scorer: Ariful Islam - 216
Leading wicket-taker: Maruf Mridha - 8
Remaining fixture: v Pakistan, February 3

An impressive five-wicket triumph over Nepal in their opening Super Six clash has kept Bangladesh in the hunt for a place in the semi-finals and Stuart Law's side know exactly what is needed heading into their encounter against Pakistan.

Bangladesh will qualify for the final four if they defeat Pakistan by a margin that will boost their net run rate past their Asian rival, leaving them likely to fill second place in Group 1.

A loss to Pakistan - or a narrow victory - will mean Bangladesh miss out on a semi-final berth.

New Zealand (two points, +1.915 net run rate)

Leading run-scorer: Snehith Devireddy - 154
Leading wicket-taker: Mason Clarke - 7
Remaining fixture: v Ireland, February 3

New Zealand's disappointing 214-run loss to India in Bloemfontein ended any slim hopes the Kiwis had of reaching the semi-finals.

They do still have one match to play, with a contest against Ireland in Bloemfontein awaiting them on Saturday.

Nepal (zero points, -1.445 net run rate)

Leading run-scorer: Dev Khanal - 152
Leading wicket-taker: Subash Bhandari - 9
Remaining fixture: v India, February 2

Nepal are also out of contention for a semi-final berth, with their five-wicket loss to Bangladesh ending their hopes of a final four finish.

They can still shape the make-up of the semi-finals, with their match against India in Bloemfontein on Friday a key match at the top of Group 1.

Ireland (zero points, -1.699 net run rate)

Leading run-scorer: Kian Hilton - 134
Leading wicket-taker: Oliver Riley - 7
Remaining fixture: v New Zealand, February 3

Ireland's campaign started in style with an impressive victory over the USA, but it's all been downhill from there as three consecutive losses has seen them drop out of the race for the semi-finals.

The aim for Ireland will be to defeat New Zealand in their final match at the tournament to ensure they don't finish the event at the bottom of the Group 1 standings.

Group 2

Australia (six points, +2.781 net run rate)

Leading run-scorer: Hugh Weibgen - 230
Leading wicket-taker: Callum Vidler - 11
Remaining fixture: v West Indies, February 2

The three-time champions are undefeated in South Africa thus far and are in the box seat to qualify for the knockout stages with one final Super Six match remaining.

A victory over the West Indies in Kimberley will see the Aussies book their place in the semi-finals and will also be enough to ensure they top their Super Six group and a loss to the Caribbean side may still be enough to see them progress.

But with a healthy net run rate of +2.781, Australia are well placed to progress and to top their group.

South Africa (four points, +1.479 net run rate)

Leading run-scorer: Steve Stolk - 192
Leading wicket-taker: Kwena Maphaka - 12
Remaining fixture: v Sri Lanka, February 2

The tournament hosts have lost just once at the event thus far and should be able to reach the final four with a victory in their final Super Six clash against Sri Lanka.

A win there should be enough to see the Proteas qualify for the knockout stages, while a narrow loss to Sri Lanka may also be enough should Australia defeat the West Indies in the other crucial Group 2 clash.

West Indies (four points, +0.134 net run rate)

Leading run-scorer: Jewel Andrew - 207
Leading wicket-taker: Nathan Edward - 8
Remaining fixture: v Australia, February 2

The Caribbean side are in excellent form of late, having registered three victories on the bounce following a first-up loss to South Africa at the start of the tournament.

While the West Indies know they need to defeat Australia in their Super Six match in Kimberley to have any chance of progressing, they will also have one eye on the match between South Africa and Sri Lanka hapenning at the same time in Potchefstroom.

A South Africa victory there might be enough to rule the west Indies out of a semi-final place, but a Sri Lanka victory - coupled with a win of their own over Australia - might be enough to keep the dream alive of a berth in the knockout stages.

Sri Lanka (two points, +0.226 net run rate)

Leading run-scorer: Dinura Kalupahana - 177
Leading wicket-taker: Vishwa Lahiru - 9
Remaining fixture: v South Africa, February 2

There's still a chance Sri Lanka could sneak into the semi-finals, with the island nation requiring a healthy victory over hosts South Africa in their final Super Six fixture.

A narrow triumph won't be enough for Sri Lanka given South Africa's healthy net run rate, while they will also need Australia to defeat the West Indies in the other crucial Group 2 fixture if they harbour any aspirations of progressing.

England (two points, -1.241 net run rate)

Leading run-scorer: Ben McKinney - 184
Leading wicket-taker: Tazeem Ali - 7
Remaining fixture: v Zimbabwe, February 3

England's disappointing loss to Australia on Wednesday all but ended their chances of success at the tournament, with Ben McKinney's side now requiring nothing short of miracle to progress to the final four.

They would need a massive net run rate boost and a victory over Zimbabwe in Potchefstroom on Saturday coupled with an Australia victory over the West Indies and a Sri Lanka triumph over South Africa.

Even that might not be enough though as England's lowly net run rate is likely to prove pivotal when deciding the final standings in what is a tight Group 2.

Zimbabwe (zero points, +4.016 net run rate)

Leading run-scorer: Ronak Patel - 80
Leading wicket-taker: Ryan Simbi, Newman Nyamhuri - 6
Remaining fixture: v England, February 3

Zimbabwe are out of contention for a place in the semi-finals and would need a large victory over England in their final Super Six fixture to avoid finishing bottom of Group 2.