World Cup 2019: 4 teams that could compete for the fourth spot in the Semi-Finals

The World Cup 2019 has almost crossed the mid-way stage when all the ten teams are vying to make it to the last four by winning as many games as possible at this stage of the tournament. While most of the matches in this highly hyped tournament have been a one-sided affair, only a few matches have lived up to the crowd expectations of being an edge of a seat thriller.

Despite ten evenly matched teams taking part in this edition, most of the teams have failed to turn up with their best performances at the pinnacle of World cricket. With top four teams in the points table gradually taking a lead from the rest of the sides, the World Cup is beginning to become more predictable with every passing game. The three sides, India, Australia, and New Zealand, have certainly looked apart from the rest, all the anticipation surrounds over which team will pip others to enter the Semis at the fourth spot.

Being the strongest contenders of them all, the Kiwis are looking in high spirits to make the spot their own. The only unbeaten side after India, New Zealand might find tough times ahead against a few strong oppositions in their remaining matches which might threaten their chances to qualify.

Here we take a look at the 4 best placed teams who'll be vying for the fourth semin final spot in the ongoing tournament:

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#4. New Zealand

Kiwis just managed to escape a scare against WI

The Kiwis always tend to slip under the radar despite their consistent show in the ICC events over the years. A team that enters the tournament without any buzz surrounding their chances to win or qualify for the last four, they tend to punch above their weights and end up giving a tough times to every possible opposition.

Even in this World Cup, they have been unbeatable with five wins in their six matches played so far. However, they might sit handsomely at the top of the table, their remaining games might pose a different challenge for the Williamson-led side.

The BlackCaps did manage to escape a scare against West Indies but their next fixture against Pakistan might be a crucial encounter for both the sides as the tournament is still wide open for any team to spring a surprise to claim a spot in the final four.

New Zealand will then lock horns against Australia before ending their league games against England on July 3. If the Kiwis are to finish anywhere in the top 4, they need to ensure a win against Pakistan which might seal the deal for the Semis.

#3. Pakistan

Pakistan still stand a chance to qualify for the last four

The mercurial Pakistan team have faced a tough last week following their heavy defeat to arch-rivals India at Manchester. With a solitary win in the five matches so far, the men in green find themselves in a real spot of bother. To keep their hopes alive to make the cut for the Semis, Sarfaraz-led side needs to win all their remaining four matches to stand any chance of making it to the final four.

Pakistan would back themselves to get the better of Afghanistan and Bangladesh in their last two fixtures in the league stages, but they will be tested against South Africa and New Zealand to lift themselves from the bottom half of the table.

If they manage to win all their remaining matches, they might face New Zealand or England on the net run-rate scenario to enter the Semi-Finals as the fourth team. Currently, Pakistan all has the worst NRR among all the ten teams as this might also come to haunt them in the business end of the tournament.

#2. Sri Lanka

Lasith Malinga is at the center of the things for Sri Lanka

In one of the major upsets of this World Cup, Sri Lanka got the better of tournament favorites England to script a scintillating 20-run victory over the hosts. Going in as the underdogs in the match against England, the Islanders made their experience count and maintained a winning streak in World Cup history.

Their win against England has certainly made the tournament wide open by giving a huge setback to the hosts. Sri Lanka would hope to keep the momentum going and inflict possibly yet another upset in the days to come.

With six points in as many games, no team would want to take the Sri Lankans lightly, especially after what they did to England. With South Africa and West Indies up next to face in few days time, their fans would hope that their team can once again repeat the heroics in the games to follow. They would rely on the senior players to raise their game and rise to the occasion to make another winning contribution to SL cricket.

#1. Bangladesh

Bangladesh cricket team

One of the better stories of success in the past few years, Bangladesh has moved from strength to strength to be known as a force to reckon with in the world cricket. Taking over Pakistan as the second most successful Asian team in the past few years, the Tigers have come a long way in raising their level of cricket at the International level.

With a winning start to their campaign against the Proteas, Bangladesh issued a clear warning to all those who considered them as a mere walkover. A record run-chase against West Indies and nearly pulling off a miracle against Australia, Bangla tigers sit at the sixth position in the points table. With three games still to go, Bangladesh is well and truly in the hunt to chase their most successful World Cup campaign after 2015.

It won't be a surprise if Bangladesh can spring a surprise over Pakistan in their last fixture and still might stand a chance to qualify for the Semi-Finals.