Who will be the four semi-finalists at the 2019 World Cup?

[Kohli The King of Chase]

With less than a year to go, who do you think will make it to the top 4?

I see chances for only these 6 teams.

India
England
Australia
New Zealand
South Africa
Pakistan

Bangladesh will be exposed in this long tournament. Sri Lanka, West Indies and Afghanistan just don't have it in them.

Out of the 6 mentioned above, I think these will be the teams to make it to top 4.

England (They are a team to beat, especially at home)

India (Our top 3, Bumrah and Bhubaneshwar will carry this team)

New Zealand (They are at their peak now, with all bases covered, opening, middle order, all rounders, spin and pace)


4th team I think it would be between AUSTRALIA/ SOUTH AFRICA/ PAKISTAN


AUSTRALIA:

They always bring their A game at the World cups. Don't be fooled by the recent series. They've atleast 6 players missing from Playing 11. That's more than half a team missing.But, not sure whether Smith and Warner will walk directly in the playing 11. Also not sure how the recent incidents have affected them psychologically. Moreover, they really lack in spin department, which most teams have a luxury of.

SOUTH AFRICA: World beaters, but at ICC events.... AB and Morkel are gone, Steyn nowhere to be seen, Amla showing signs of going downhill, also the quota system is not helping either. But still they've a good bowling attack of Rabada and Tahir, and Faf, De cock and Miller in the batting department.

PAKISTAN: Pakistan have done well in England, in recent times. Have a good young team and playing as a unit. Moreover they've a varied bowling attack which can tie up any team, just like they did against SA, ENG and IND at the CT. But again, it's Pakistan which we all know of, they'll lose from a winning situation, and when you don't give a damn about them, they'll roll over every team which comes their way and go on to win the trophy.



The reason I don't give chance to Bangladesh is, they got lucky at the WC 15 and CT 17. But here it wouldn't work, as each team has to play 9 games. You can't get into knockouts by just winning 2, 3 matches. And they've been put back into their place after Fizz got worked out.

 

[Mainul]

England, India, Newzealand and Pakistan

 

[introvert]

England,india,south Africa, pak.

 

[Aman]

India, Pakistan, England and Australia.

 

[khurram39]

at least 2 of them will be from Asia.

Don't think Australia could make it.

England, South Africa and New zealand will contest for the rest of 2.

 

[Mp812]

Forget finalists this time South Africa will win the cup

 

[Amjid Javed]

England, India, South Africa and new zealand.

 

[Ahmed4472]

England, New Zealand, India and Pakistan

 

[Usman Chadda]

England, New Zealand, South Africa and Pakistan/Australia

 

[Ab Fan]

India
Pakistan
England

4th is a bit debatable. Australia aren't at their best like they had been in their previous 4 WC victory. SA will go as non-favourites after a long time IMO in 2019 WC. NZ again might get to semis and then fail. So that is a debatable part. With 1 year still to go, lots of things can happen.

 

[ads101]

India and England will almost definitely will be.

The other two will be from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Pakistan. New Zealand are consistently strong these days and think will get their customary semi final spot. They basically clinch it every year, and I don't think they'll find the conditions too alien.

Aus are missing their two best bats in Smith and Warner. I don't see them making it, too much chaos. What's more that mentality they have has been rocked by these scandals, which always seemed to carry them, that ruthless winning mentality isn't there atm. South Africa have lost so many of their top players, AB, Morkel, Kallis from before. I'm not sure Steyn's is up to it anymore either. Pakistan are rising in strength, but still lack the batting line up to post 300 scores consistently. SA are still ranked higher than us too, if it were an ODI series, odds would be them on SA winning.

I'll go with Pakistan for the final last four spot.

 

[TeymurBlake]

England, Australia and India are definitely teams that are favourites to finish in the last four. I think its between South Africa, New Zealand and Pakistan. It depends which one these teams turn up.

 

[ManFan]

Eng, nz, pak, ind.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

India, Pakistan, England and Australia.

Have some faith in your team. much weaker Enzed teams have made it to the semis let alone this team. It's gonna be India/England/NZ and one of PAK/SA/OZ with PAK looking the strongest of the lot.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

India, pakistan, england, newzealand.

 

[Sam99]

Aus will win worldcup. Smith will be highest run scorer and cummins will be highest wicket taker in worldcup.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Forget finalists this time South Africa will win the cup

Said many times before

 

[Hasan123]

Australia,India,and England are certainties imo.

Let's see how SA,Pakistan ,and NZ develop over the next 12 months.

 

[Justcrazy]

Pakistan , England , India , West Indies.

 

[The_Odd_One]

England, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand.

Australia will need time to recover from recent controversies.

 

[Peshwa]

England India Australia South Africa

 

[Ted123]

England India Pakistan New Zealand

 

[happydavy]

Semi final 2 - India vs Australia
Semi final 1 - England vs South Africa

I do feel that Pakistan can get to semis but it ll depend upon pitches, if they are dry they will. IMO it will be otherwise be difficult for them to maintain consistency to win 6 of 9 matches on good batting wickets.

 

[Jo_Don]

Since there's no knockouts to get to the semis, I'd say we have a chance at being one of the 4. Whether we get to the final is entirely debatable.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

The reason I don't give chance to Bangladesh is, they got lucky at the WC 15 and CT 17. But here it wouldn't work, as each team has to play 9 games. You can't get into knockouts by just winning 2, 3 matches. And they've been put back into their place after Fizz got worked out.

We got lucky in CT 17, yes. Even then, we had a knockout vs NZ and won. That was the only sporting pitch in the entire tournament, at least up to that point. Australia had a knockout vs England and lost.

WC 15 though we got through fair and square.

For the next WC, there is very little chance of BD progressing to the semis. I am predicting Bangladesh to win 4 games in the group stage. You will need 6 to progress to the semis, possibly 5 with a very good net run rate.

If Bangladesh have a fit side, we should expect to win 4 games.

 

[Mamoon]

I think the retirement of de Villiers has improved their chances of winning the World Cup. However, Amla and Steyn are two players they need to get rid off to further boost their chances.

 

[Suleiman]

India, England, Pakistan and Australia.

England and Australia progress to finals, unless Pakistan face India in which case latter progresses to finals. England won't be stopped.

England v Australia with full strength Aussie squad of Starc and co back will be an epic ODI treat, probably the first time both ODI outfits will be at their best against each other.

Maybe Aussie won't be "back to their best" but I'm hopeful. Cricket needs a strong Australia.

 

[RehanG]

We got lucky in CT 17, yes. Even then, we had a knockout vs NZ and won. That was the only sporting pitch in the entire tournament, at least up to that point. Australia had a knockout vs England and lost.

WC 15 though we got through fair and square.

For the next WC, there is very little chance of BD progressing to the semis. I am predicting Bangladesh to win 4 games in the group stage. You will need 6 to progress to the semis, possibly 5 with a very good net run rate.

If Bangladesh have a fit side, we should expect to win 4 games.

Bangladesh will win one game and that will be also v 50/50 against Afghanistan

 

[Ali_Pakistan]

I can see NZ playing the final but yet to see whom they will face there.

 

[El Generico]

NZ,SA,Eng,Pak

 

[Hamza_]

NZ, England, India and SA

 

[MMHS]

Bangladesh will win one game and that will be also v 50/50 against Afghanistan

What's your basis of this prediction - I can justify the possibility of 4 wins, we are higher in rating than 3 teams and has a very good run against NZ - last time beat them in KO scenario in same country, so 4 isn't unexpected.

How do you command that 0.5 win with a word like "will"? I understand putting one liner is quite irresistible and it's quite easy to take cheap digs - but I give you a challenge here; justify why we won't win more than one game at max.

If you can put valid cricket logics, I'll agree and take your verdict; otherwise after almost a decade in PP, you are risking yourself to be the troll here.

Appreciate answer and I hope mods won't deprive us here from your insightful explanations.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

Bangladesh will win one game and that will be also v 50/50 against Afghanistan

Clearly you’ve only recently started following ICC events. Based on past tournaments, here is most likely scenario:

Bangladesh will lose one vs AFG, WI, SL, and PAK. Entirely probably it’s the game vs AFG. Hopefully they have a fit side, otherwise they might even drop 2.

Then they will manage to win one vs ENG, SA, IND, NZ, AUS like they always do.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

What's your basis of this prediction - I can justify the possibility of 4 wins, we are higher in rating than 3 teams and has a very good run against NZ - last time beat them in KO scenario in same country, so 4 isn't unexpected.
.

Actually 5 is expected, but I’m saying 4 because we’ll slip up somewhere.

But like you’ve pointed out, we ranked higher than 3 teams so that’s 3 projected wins. And then we always knock off one of India (07), SA (07), ENG (11 and 15), NZ (17) in ICC events. Plus the aussies are in shambles right now.

 

[aloo paratha]

India
England
South Africa/Pakistan/New Zealand
South Africa/Pakistan/New Zealand

Too close between those 3 teams.

 

[MMHS]

Actually 5 is expected, but I’m saying 4 because we’ll slip up somewhere.

But like you’ve pointed out, we ranked higher than 3 teams so that’s 3 projected wins. And then we always knock off one of India (07), SA (07), ENG (11 and 15), NZ (17) in ICC events. Plus the aussies are in shambles right now.

We can lose 9 games as well, but that's not expected, neither it's expected that we should make the SF.

I am perfectly OK with OP here - making a SF after 9 games needs lots of endurance, but we did make 4 out of 7, after 6 games in last WC; still I don't expect us to make it. In CT as well, I don't see it as lucky (otherwise PakPassion should put an asterisk on 1992 WC winners as well) - first we had to beat Kiwis, which team did, then AUS had the chance to knock us out by beating ENG - they failed. Similarly, had WIN beaten AUS in last game of 1992 WC group stage, despite rain and win over NZ, PAK would have been flying home - that doesn't mean AUS did a favor, neither Poms did here.

Coming to 2019 WC, I am not expecting us to make the cut - but, it'll be quite shallow for me if I paste some insightful posts from September 2015, when we made the CT as 7th ranked team, and it became a laughing stalk at PP. We can surprise couple of teams, but at the same time WIN, SRL, AFG can surprise us as well - net, net 3/4 wins is probably per; 5 is excellent and 6 will be delight; similarly 7 losses are under per, 8 will be disaster ......... 8.5 is trolling effort.

It's too easy to hide in PP for few days, after the event (s), hence I had to make sure that this doesn't go unnoticed; otherwise I myself wrote few days back that AUS, ENG, IND are almost certain, rest one spot would be hard fought between next 3, and we are not one of them.

 

[todfod 11]

India , Nz , England and Australia

Pakistan middle order is very weak Specially Sarfaraz and shoaib malik.
Malik scores when top order has done well but he doesnt have the game to revive once top order has failed
Also the opening doesnt look great with Fakhar being hit or a miss at times.

 

[blackanhyellow]

India , Nz , England and Australia

Pakistan middle order is very weak Specially Sarfaraz and shoaib malik.
Malik scores when top order has done well but he doesnt have the game to revive once top order has failed
Also the opening doesnt look great with Fakhar being hit or a miss at times.

The good thing is with Pak's bowling attack they wont be consistently chasing 300+, so they can afford a slightly weaker middle order.

As long as all the batsmen hit form at the same time like they did in the CT, Pakistan should do very well in the tournament.

However that is a long shot. Sarfraz's batting has been going downhill, and there is no telling what malik's form will be like in a year.

The only consistent batsman in the squad is Babar Azam.

 

[nextover666666]

Pakistan England New Zealand South Africa

 

[Square Drive]

Pakistan
England
New Zealand
India

Pakistan to go on to win the World Cup.

 

[hussain.r97]

Pakistan
India
New Zealand/South Africa
England

 

[Oligochaetes]

Australia
England
South Africa
Pakistan

Many Indian players will be exhausted / injured due to IPL.

 

[Slim]

Pakistan
England
New Zealand/South Africa
India

 

[Aman]

Have some faith in your team. much weaker Enzed teams have made it to the semis let alone this team. It's gonna be India/England/NZ and one of PAK/SA/OZ with PAK looking the strongest of the lot.

I'm being realistic, those teams have more match winners than us. Our middle order batting is reliant on Kane and Taylor, the rest offer little to nothing. So if those two don't show up we're going to struggle to score.

 

[Slim]

Pakistan
England
New Zealand/South Africa
India

On second thought, I feel Australia/NewZeland/Southafrica. Three teams for one position.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

We can lose 9 games as well, but that's not expected, neither it's expected that we should make the SF.

I am perfectly OK with OP here - making a SF after 9 games needs lots of endurance, but we did make 4 out of 7, after 6 games in last WC; still I don't expect us to make it. In CT as well, I don't see it as lucky (otherwise PakPassion should put an asterisk on 1992 WC winners as well) - first we had to beat Kiwis, which team did, then AUS had the chance to knock us out by beating ENG - they failed. Similarly, had WIN beaten AUS in last game of 1992 WC group stage, despite rain and win over NZ, PAK would have been flying home - that doesn't mean AUS did a favor, neither Poms did here.

Coming to 2019 WC, I am not expecting us to make the cut - but, it'll be quite shallow for me if I paste some insightful posts from September 2015, when we made the CT as 7th ranked team, and it became a laughing stalk at PP. We can surprise couple of teams, but at the same time WIN, SRL, AFG can surprise us as well - net, net 3/4 wins is probably per; 5 is excellent and 6 will be delight; similarly 7 losses are under per, 8 will be disaster ......... 8.5 is trolling effort.

It's too easy to hide in PP for few days, after the event (s), hence I had to make sure that this doesn't go unnoticed; otherwise I myself wrote few days back that AUS, ENG, IND are almost certain, rest one spot would be hard fought between next 3, and we are not one of them.

Winning 4 games will be par for us. 5 would be seriously impressive as we'd challenge for a semi final spot, though my gut says you need 6 wins for semis. Winning just 3 would be disappointing but not disasterous. But given how experienced our side is 3 wins is really not good enough. Then again merely being ranked 7th is similarly not good enough. our senior core has 3-4 yrs left to reach a peak.

But our team lacks a number of things: a big hitter down the order, an explosive opener, a leg spinner, and an express quick. We have Tamim, Mushfiq, Riyad, and shakib as reliable batters altho Tamim is a bit slow. Rubel and Mustafiz as seamers but we need another. A pace bowling all rounder would be handy.

 

[Shutdown Corner]

I'm being realistic, those teams have more match winners than us. Our middle order batting is reliant on Kane and Taylor, the rest offer little to nothing. So if those two don't show up we're going to struggle to score.

NZ are amongst the most balanced sides. Guptill at the top is beastly.

 

[zain7077]

I'm being realistic, those teams have more match winners than us. Our middle order batting is reliant on Kane and Taylor, the rest offer little to nothing. So if those two don't show up we're going to struggle to score.

Which match winners do Pakistan have apart from fakhar and shadab lol?

 

[Slim]

Which match winners do Pakistan have apart from fakhar and shadab lol?

Amir, Hassan?

 

[AssassinatedDevil]

Pakistan,India, England,New Zealand

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I'm being realistic, those teams have more match winners than us. Our middle order batting is reliant on Kane and Taylor, the rest offer little to nothing. So if those two don't show up we're going to struggle to score.

With Guptill,Taylor,Williamson and possibly Latham that's as good a top order as there is in the world right now. No team has clutch batsmen from 1 to 7 like England have. We have Rohit,Shikhar and Kohli and that's it. OZ have no one right now. SA have only Amla, Faf and Qdk. Don't think NZ batting is weaker than any team bar England.

 

[B_Positive]

Pakistan, England, India, South Africa.

 

[MoJoJoJo]

Pakistan, India, England and Newzealand

 

[troodon]

England, Australia, Newzealand, India.

Pak as usual will be the dark horse. Most probably first round elimination or could go on to make finals. They are still an all or nothing team.

Aus will be back to full strength and no one will want to face them in WC.

England's batting is good enough to carry them to the semis.

India will be there thanks to their Top 3 batting and better spinners this time around.

 

[CanadianG00se]

India
Australia
England
Pakistan

 

[Mueez]

England, Australia, Pakistan, South Africa.

 

[akki]

England, Australia, Pakistan, South Africa.

I can bet my life for this that indian would definately be in semi finals. I dnt remember when was the last time since india not in ateast semis.

 

[MMHS]

I can bet my life for this that indian would definately be in semi finals. I dnt remember when was the last time since india not in ateast semis.

Just 2 WCs back, 2007. Also missed SF when last WC was hosted by ENG. But, this time chances of missing SF is quite low; particularly in this WC format where teams can make comebacks.

 

[akki]

Just 2 WCs back, 2007. Also missed SF when last WC was hosted by ENG. But, this time chances of missing SF is quite low; particularly in this WC format where teams can make comebacks.

That's why i said chances are very very low because strong teams can make comebacks. Luck wont play much part here and there are certain teams who needs a lot of luck to reach there.

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

I can predict India being a finalist already.

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

R SHARMA
S DHAWAN
V KOHLI
KL RAHUL

That's a world class top 4

 

[UN talkz]

India
Pakistan
England
Australia/New Zealand if Aus has a full strength team including all fast bowlers and Warner,Smith then they will be 4th semi finalist otherwise NZ

 

[GrandMaster]

England, Australia, India, SA/NZ

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

If we, somehow, manage to reach SF then we might win this world cup

England's been lucky for us and this time DRS won't do a Mohali on us.

That said, I have no idea of groups etc. but a priori: England/Australia/India/NZ are the favorites and should qualify for Semis. Only Australia or Pakistan can defeat Indians in final. So if India don't win this one they should feel unlucky.

 

[UN talkz]

If we, somehow, manage to reach SF then we might win this world cup

England's been lucky for us and this time DRS won't do a Mohali on us.

That said, I have no idea of groups etc. but a priori: England/Australia/India/NZ are the favorites and should qualify for Semis. Only Australia or Pakistan can defeat Indians in final. So if India don't win this one they should feel unlucky.

No groups
All teams play each other once

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

India pak final.
You heard it here first.

 

[RobinJay]

India pak final.
You heard it here first.

Would be the most watched sporting event in the world, if that were to happen.

 

[Mueez]

R SHARMA
S DHAWAN
V KOHLI
KL RAHUL

That's a world class top 4

says hi!

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

says hi!

Yaar iss baar nahi hona chahiye.
That was once in a lifetime kind of performance so let it be one.

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

says hi!

It was a nightmare. Hope it was just one nightmare we've had. Don't wanna see anymore

 

[babajee]

Yaar iss baar nahi hona chahiye.
That was once in a lifetime kind of performance so let it be one.

Fluke?

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Australia,England,India and Pakistan.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Fluke?

No not a fluke.
Once in a lifetime performance should only happen once in a lifetime.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

India pak final.
You heard it here first.

Won't happen again.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Its going to be an India vs pakistan final going by current form.

 

[Sidilicious]

Following is my analysis of the teams (all except Afg, Bang, WI and SL)

- A team plays 9 matches in the league.
- From the experience of 1992 match and IPL (mid way), 6 won matches will guarantee a spot, but even 5 matches won should be sufficient to get into the semis.
- The 6 stronger teams are Pak, SA, Aus NZ, Eng and Ind.
- The 4 weaker teams are WI, SL Afg and Bang.
- I expect all teams to beat Afghanistan
- Bangladesh, WI and SL will upset 1 or 2 of the 6 teams.


1. Pakistan - Pak generally struggle in the group stage, but when they get to the knockouts, they perform better. But with such a long group stage, they have time to comeback if they have a poor start. But consistency has not been their forte.

Pakistan play WI, Eng and SL as their first 3 matches. They will need to have a good start and win at least 2 out of 3 games, if not all 3. This will give them the cushion if they falter in the middle. Their last 3 matches are against Afghanistan, NZ and Bangladesh. Should win all 3. Their middle 3 games against Aus, Ind and SA will be tough.

Due to their mercurial nature, I expect them to lose at least 1 game to the 4 weaker teams. They will then need to ensure that they beat NZ towards the end of the group stage and another one of the other top 6 to give them 5 wins.

So for Pakistan, they need to have a good start, otherwise they will be under pressure throughout.


2. South Africa - SA also generally tend to do well, and also have a team that will perform consistently in the group stages.

They have a tough start, with 2 out of their first 3 games against England and India. Then it gets slightly easier and have Australia as the last game. SA remain fairly consistent generally, so I would not expect them to falter against the 4 weaker teams, also to win 1 or 2 games against the top 6.

It could even come down to the last game against Aus.


3. Australia have been struggling, but if Warner and Smith return and if the bowling can be lethal with Starc and co. they could make it to the semis. They have 3 tough games in the end, with Eng, NZ and SA. But I expect them to win all 4 games against the 4 weaker teams. It will come down to the last 2 games NZ and SA, if Aus have to go through.

4. NZ are also one of the teams who are pretty consistent and all would depend on how they deal with teams such as Pakistan and Australia. They have an easy start with Bang, SL and Afg. But I expect SL or WI to perform strongly against them. Their last 3 games are against Pak, Aus and Eng respectively. The games against Pak and Aus will be crucial.

5. England will smack any side that has average bowling strength. But will struggle against India, Pak, SA and Aud (depending on their bowling strength). But will comfortably make it to the semis.

6. India will struggle against Pakistan and possibly NZ, but will make it to the semis.

Teams that make it to the semis
India and England - 7 wins
SA - 6 wins

Pak/NZ/Aus - It could even come down to RR here, as I reckon it could be 5 wins each. Though, the Aus vs Pak, Pak vs NZ and NZ vs Aus will be the games that will decide this group.

WI - 4 wins
SL - 3 wins
Ban - 2 wins
Afg - 0 wins

 

[Sidilicious]

India pak final.
You heard it here first.

if it has to be, it will be an India/Pak semi final.

 

[Wasim_Waqar]

England, India and 2 others.

If it is a hot summer again like this year, reverse swing and spin will be a crucial factor.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

Pakistan
India
Australia
England

One of the chokers (SA,NZ) might be there instead of Aus, but I doubt it. A fully fit and available Aus is a lot better than the other two.

India and Eng are massive favourites. India as usual with their superior batting and this time good bowling options as well. Eng has the home advantage and a pretty decent limited overs line up.

Pak is an outsider who can surprise anyone whenever the need arises. Put them under pressure with a lot to play for and the best Pakistan will turn out. Hasan, Shadab, Fakhar and Amir love a challenge. They will not bog down neither will Mickey give up on his team.

In short: after a long time we could have another good interesting world cup.