ICC World Cup 2015: Expected quarter-final line-up

The teamwise quarter-final scenarios analyzed by Sportskeeda went for a toss the moment Pakistan beat South Africa in Auckland, and Bangladesh knocked out England from the World Cup yesterday. Only New Zealand and India (after the latter's win against Ireland today) are assured of finishing in their current position.We take a look at the expected quarter-final line-ups and of course, owing to these massive and unexpected changes, a look at what would happen if the bizarre would happen once again at the World Cup:

#1 Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Date: 18th March, 2015

Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

The first quarter-final of the ICC World Cup 2015 will be played between the Proteas and the men from the island nation of Sri Lanka. After losing to Australia on Sunday, its unlikely that Sri Lanka will end up anywhere else but at the 3rd position in Pool A.

South Africa, on the other hand, sit pretty at 2nd position in Pool B with 6 points from 5 games despite their loss to Pakistan recently. South Africa’s last game is against UAE, and going by UAE’s current form, its unlikely that they’ll be able to win against the African nation. Sri Lanka face a struggling Scottish team in their last league outing, a match that will go in Sri Lanka’s favour in all likelihood.

Devil’s advocate: If India would have lost both their remaining games against Ireland and Zimbabwe, and South Africa had managed to beat UAE with a comfortable margin, the Proteas could have pipped India to the top spot thereby altering this line-up and making it an India-Sri Lanka clash. But Ireland’s defeat today means that can’t happen, bringing relief to Indian fans.

#2 Bangladesh vs India

Date: 19th March, 2015

Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Bangladesh’s surprise heist over England on Monday has assured the Bangla Tigers of a place in the next stage of the World Cup. With a game to go against favourites New Zealand, Bangladesh can relax and not worry about missing out on qualification for the knock-outs. However, expecting Bangladesh to beat an in-form New Zealand is asking a little too much out of them and hence, a reasonable assumption would be that Bangladesh will end at the 4th position in Pool A. This means that they get to face India at Melbourne on Wednesday, 19th March.

India too are certain of holding on to their top spot in Pool B even if they lose their last remaining game against Zimbabwe.

Devil’s Advocate: If Bangladesh beat New Zealand and both Australia and Sri Lanka lose their respective final league outings against Scotland, then this game might just become a Bangladesh vs Pakistan match, with India facing sub-continent rivals, Sri Lanka.

#3 Australia vs Pakistan

Date: 20th March, 2015

Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Australia currently sit 2nd in Pool A on 7 points, with a solitary game left against Scotland. If Australia do manage to win that, they will end up with 9 points, but will still remain below New Zealand, a side that already has 10 points in its kitty.

Although many expect the Ireland-Pakistan clash on next Sunday to be a close encounter, a rejuvenated Pakistani should be too strong for the Irish. In the event that Pakistan beat Ireland, then Misbah’s men will end the league stage with 8 points, a rung below South Africa (who are expected to beat UAE and finish 2nd in Pool B) due to an inferior net run rate.

Devil’s Advocate: In case Ireland beat Pakistan, Pakistan will end up tied on 6 points with the West Indies. Despite having a much-healthier run rate than the team from the Caribbean, Pakistan may still end up finishing 5th, and out of the qualifying spots, if West Indies win their match against UAE with a big margin.

#4 New Zealand vs West Indies

Date: 21st March, 2015

Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington

With 5 wins from 5 games, there’s zero possibility that New Zealand will not top Pool A. This presents them with a home encounter against the 4th ranked team in Pool B. In current context, New Zealand’s opposition can be Pakistan, Ireland or the West Indies.

Like we have mentioned in one of the previous slides, Pakistan seem to be the likely winner in the Pakistan-Ireland match. That outcome will ensure that both West Indies and Ireland will end up with 6 points each (assuming that West Indies beat the UAE). The 200-run loss at the hands of South Africa has made Ireland’s chances of qualifying with 6 points extremely difficult. So it is, most likely, going to be West Indies as the 4th placed team in Pool B.

Devil’s Advocate: If Ireland win their remaining game against Pakistan, then they will move to 8 points and finish in 3rd place. In that case, West Indies will get knocked out unless they beat UAE by a big margin.