World Cup State of Play: Three teams remain in race for last semi-final spot

India are locked into top spot but their semi-final opponent is still to be decided with New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan all out to snatch fourth place in the standings and set up a cut-throat clash with the undefeated hosts.

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Pakistan put themselves back in the hunt when defeating New Zealand and receiving a healthy boost to their net run rate in the rain-affected encounter, and will know what they need to do to move into fourth place when they face England on Saturday.

Afghanistan are equal with New Zealand and Pakistan on eight points but trail both sides on net run rate as all three sides have one high-stakes match still to play.

The other semi-final has already been confirmed with old foes South Africa and Australia set for a mouth-watering clash.

Here is the World Cup state of play with three teams chasing the one semi-final spot that is still up for grabs:

Most runs: Virat Kohli (543 runs)
Most wickets:Mohammed Shami(16 wickets)

The hosts were the first team through to the semi-finals and have now locked in a first-place finish with eight straight wins at the tournament.

The tournament pacesetters won each of their first five matches while batting second with captain Rohit Sharma and chase master Virat Kohli leading the way, and struggled at times when asked to bat first by England in Lucknow.

But the brilliance of India’s bowling attack has stood up three times in succession, first to dismantle England and then to run through Sri Lanka and South Africa in style.

Still to play: Netherlands (12 November)

Most runs: Quinton de Kock (550 runs)
**Most wickets:**Marco Jansen (17 wickets)

South Africa have fired a warning shot across the tournament with five totals above 300 - including more than 400 against Sri Lanka.

The Proteas’ first blemish came in a shock 38-run loss to familiar foes Netherlands when they were skittled out for 207 in their first run chase at the Cricket World Cup.

South Africa held their nerve in a last-wicket thriller against Pakistan in their second chase of the tournament, and boosted their confidence further when they pulled off a first win over New Zealand at a men's Cricket World Cup since 1999.

Even though they are assured of a semi-final spot, South Africa will be keen to return to form in their remaining game against Afghanistan after a crushing loss to India in Kolkata.

**Still to play:**Afghanistan (10 November)

**Most runs:**David Warner (446 runs)
**Most wickets:**Adam Zampa (20 wickets)

The five-time champions have been building momentum after starting their campaign with two disappointing losses, and with six consecutive victories that followed have now locked in a semi-final berth.

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But it took an incredible individual performance from Glenn Maxwell to secure a place in the knockout stages, as the middle-order dynamo blasted an all-time great double century when Australia were on the ropes against Afghanistan.

Australia have had to overcome injuries and other concerns but that has given each batter an opportunity to find form as competition for places heats up, while their trio of pacers and spinner Adam Zampa have also made their mark.

With a semi-final showdown with South Africa already assured, Pat Cummins' side will be out to fine-tune in their last group stage match against Bangladesh.

**Still to play:**Bangladesh (11 November)

Most runs: Rachin Ravindra (523 runs)
**Most wickets:**Mitchell Santner (14 wickets)

The runners-up at the past two Cricket World Cups looked well-placed to secure yet another semi-final berth after thumping defending champions England in their opener then clinching resounding victories over less-fancied opponents.

But four successive losses have put a serious dent in New Zealand's campaign.

While the Black Caps are still in contention for a semi-final spot the gap to the chasing pack led by Pakistan and Afghanistan has been significantly reduced.

New Zealand now need to turn around their fortunes in their one remaining match against Sri Lanka, while also hoping other equations fall their way.

Still to play: Sri Lanka (9 November)

Most runs: Mohammad Rizwan (359 runs)
**Most wickets:**Shaheen Afridi (16 wickets)

Pakistan impressed as they opened their Cricket World Cup with two comprehensive victories but fell back into the pack with four losses that left them on the brink of missing out on the knockout stages.

While a thumping at the hands of heated rivals India always stings, and losses to Australia, Afghanistan and South Africa then followed, Babar Azam's side have been able to breathe life back into their campaign.

A seven-wicket win over Bangladesh lifted their fortunes but the big pay off came with Fakhar Zaman's blistering knock that powered a critical triumph over New Zealand in a high-scoring, rain-affected affair.

Pakistan now have to beat eliminated titleholders England while also hoping that other results go their way.

Still to play: England (11 November)

Most runs: Ibrahim Zadran (361 runs)
Most wickets: Rashid Khan (nine wickets)

Afghanistan put themselves in the mix to snatch a semi-final berth with three consecutive victories, but a loss to Australia at the hands of a rampant Glenn Maxwell means they now need one more win and for other results to go their way.

The top four batters have each been in fine form, while the spin quartet of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad have all caused concern for opposition batters at different stages of the tournament.

Afghanistan face a tough challenge in their last group stage match against South Africa, but can be buoyed by their opponent having little to play for in terms of their own spot in the standings.

Still to play: South Africa (10 November)

**Most runs:**Dawid Malan (373 runs)
Most wickets: Adil Rashid (13 wickets)

Not much has gone right for England in this tournament, with the bowlers misfiring in their opening run of matches and the batters crumbling against Sri Lanka and India.

Their only victories have come against Bangladesh and Netherlands, and the 2019 champions' title defence formally came to an end in a crushing defeat at the hands of rivals Australia last Saturday.

While Jos Buttler's side cannot reach the semi-finals, they at least have their hopes of a top-eight finish to qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 in their own hands.

**Still to play:**Pakistan (11 November)

**Most runs:**Mahmudullah Riyad (296 runs)
**Most wickets:**Shoriful Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (10 wickets each)

Bangladesh bounced back from six straight defeats to trounce Sri Lanka in a controversial clash and move above their rivals in the standings as both teams chase a top-eight finish to book a spot at the ICC Champions Trophy.

Shakib Al Hasan's side made a bright start to the 2023 World Cup with a commanding victory over Afghanistan, but the six losses that followed extinguished their semi-final hopes and left Bangladesh to turn their attention to qualifying for the next 50-over ICC event in 2025.

**Still to play:**Australia (11 November)

**Most runs:**Sadeera Samarawickrama (372 runs)
**Most wickets:**Dilshan Madushanka (21 wickets)

Injuries prior to arriving in India and in the first three weeks of the tournament have proved costly for the 1996 champions, with the absence of star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga putting a huge responsibility on fellow tweaker Maheesh Theekshana.

The resounding triumph over defending champions England boosted their hopes for a semi-final berth, but defeats to Afghanistan, India and Bangladesh have since ended their chances of finishing in the top four.

Sri Lanka will enter what now looms as a critical encounter with New Zealand focused on clinching a top-eight finish to lock in a spot at the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.

**Still to play:**New Zealand (9 November)

Most runs: Sybrand Engelbrecht (255 runs)
**Most wickets:**Bas de Leede (14 wickets)

An upset victory over a surging South Africa has been the clear highlight of Netherlands' campaign and Scott Edwards' side have been far from outclassed in most of their other matches thus far.

Netherlands bamboozled Bangladesh with the ball to secure another famous World Cup win but a loss to England put an end to their slim hopes of snatching a semi-final berth.

Scott Edwards' side will now be out to cause another upset when they face the undefeated India on Sunday, while victory would boost their own chances of claiming a top-eight finish to book a ticket to the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.

Still to play: India (12 November)