And then there were three.
And by three we mean Pakistan, New Zealand, and England are now left fighting for the remaining two semi-final spots in the World Cup.
On Tuesday, India became the second team to join five-time champions Australia in the semi-finals of the World Cup with a 28-run win over Bangladesh at Edgbaston, which meant Bangladesh bid adieu to the tournament along with Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies, and Afghanistan.
Now tournament hosts England, New Zealand, and Pakistan are all vying for the two remaining semi-final places on offer with two matches left that could decide it all.
So what do the remaining teams need to do to qualify for the final-four stage of the tournament?
New Zealand
At one point in the tournament, it seemed that no team could beat the Black Caps. Of course, this was before they faced Pakistan and Australia and were left fighting for a place in the semis.
Right now the Kiwis stand third with 11 points and a massive game against hosts England which could pretty much simultaneously decide their fate along with England’s and Pakistan’s.
A victory over the tournament hosts would send the 2015 losing finalists into the last four again.
Even if they lose to England and Pakistan ends up winning its final group match against Bangladesh, it is likely New Zealand will make it to the next round because on a superior net run-rate which will see them through.
England
For the hosts, this tournament has been a dream run, well almost.
They started the tournament on high, thumping South Africa, but were in for a shock when a rejuvenated Pakistan handed them a surprise reality check.
Not to be outdone they came back in the tournament, only to be defeated by Sri Lanka, who threw wide open the race for the semi-finals.
The hosts right now have 10 points with their fate hanging in the balance. A win against a New Zealand will send England straight to the semis, while a loss will see them out of the tournament and depending on Pakistan failing to beat Bangladesh in order to qualify.
Pakistan
If you thought the weather in England was unpredictable, then you have not met the Pakistan cricket team.
Pakistan currently sit on the fifth position with nine points. The green shirts turned things around for themselves when they defeated South Africa and continued their run beating tournament favourites New Zealand and kept their hopes alive in a thriller against Afghanistan.
For Pakistan to qualify for the final four, New Zealand need to beat England and Pakistan needs to beat Bangladesh in their final group game on Friday.
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