Bangladesh became the first team to be knocked out of Women's World Cup 2025, following their seven-run defeat against Sri Lanka on Monday. Australia, South Africa and England have already qualified for the semi-finals, which leaves four teams jostling for the last spot, with seven league games remaining in the tournament. If India beat New Zealand on Thursday, they will make the semi-finals. If they lose to New Zealand, India have to hope New Zealand lose to England before they beat Bangladesh on Sunday.

A washout against New Zealand can also be a good result for India, even if they lose to Bangladesh (and New Zealand lose to England), unless one of Sri Lanka and Pakistan don't end up with six points. If both of India's games in Navi Mumbai get washed out, they will qualify for the semi-finals, but only if England beat New Zealand (or if that game also gets washed out). If one of Sri Lanka and Pakistan are tied on six points with India in the aforementioned scenario, India will progress with a better net run-rate.

New Zealand's next match against India will be an all-or-nothing game for them, and a loss will end their World Cup campaign. If New Zealand win their next two games, they will make the semi-finals. If New Zealand beat India but lose to England, they will have to hope Bangladesh beat India. Sri Lanka can also finish with six points if they beat Pakistan, while Pakistan can finish on six if they beat South Africa and Sri Lanka. But New Zealand have a better net run-rate right now.

New Zealand will make the semi-finals irrespective of other results if they beat India and their match against England gets washed out. A washout against India will be good for New Zealand only if they defeat England, and India don't bag two points against Bangladesh. New Zealand can progress to the semi-finals if both their remaining games are washed out, but only if none of India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan get to six points. To reach the semi-finals, Sri Lanka have to beat Pakistan and hope India lose both their remaining games.

They will also need England to beat New Zealand on the last day of the league stage. Sri Lanka will be tied on six points with New Zealand in the above scenario, but will be behind on net run-rate if they don't win big against Pakistan. Despite having no wins so far, Pakistan are still in the race for the semi-finals. They will have to win their last two games, against South Africa and Sri Lanka, by margins that will take their net run-rate ahead of New Zealand's, and hope India lose both their remaining games. Pakistan will also need England to beat New Zealand.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)