New Zealand’s World Cup journey has been an odd one. They climbed the peak with four back-to-back wins to start with but nosedived thereafter with four successive defeats. They would hope that it is time again for them to rise as they recorded a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their last league phase game on Thursday.

The win has almost confirmed them a spot in the semis as they sit on the fourth spot with 10 points. Afghanistan and Pakistan too can finish on 10 points if they win their respective final games, but the Black Caps enjoy a healthier net run rate.

New Zealand have a positive net run rate of 0.743, while Pakistan have 0.036. The Afghans are further below with a negative net run rate of -0.338. Therefore, Pakistan and Afghanistan face almost impossible equations to push their net run rate above New Zealand’s. For example, Afghanistan must beat South Africa by at least 438 runs, or Pakistan, suppose they bat second after restricting England to 150, must chase down the target inside four overs.

So it’s obvious that the Kiwis can sleep in peace, their fourth place in the standings looks secured. In fact, they are already being asked questions about their likely semi-final opponents — Rohit Sharma’s India.

Captain Kane Williamson, though, was reserved in his reaction to a question on the probable last-four clash against the hosts. “There are a few teams that could end up on similar points. It’s not in our control. We will be having a couple of days off, not sure what’s happening... Playing semis is special, but playing the home team will be challenging. Looking forward to it if we are fortunate enough to have it.”

Williamson will be happy though that they could snap their losing streak in a
quite convincing manner on Thursday.

Trent Boult (3/37) rediscovered his magic with the new ball and the batters, Daryl Mitchell (43 off 31 balls), Devon Conway (45 off 42 balls) and Rachin Ravindra (42 off 34 balls), all got runs as New Zealand hunted down the target of 172 in 23.2 overs.

For enjoying the luxury of not having to chase a bigger total, the Black Caps would thank speedster Boult, who was ably assisted by Mitchell Santner (2/22), the wily left-arm spinner.

Their effort reduced a belligerent 51 off 28 balls by Lankan opener Kusal Perera, who was dropped on 1 by stumper Tom Latham off Tim Southee, to a mere footnote in an otherwise shambolic batting effort.

Boult is already thinking about the semi-final challenge against an unbeaten India. “They (India) are playing a positive style of cricket and I suppose playing shots does present chances. But we’re going to be very clear with how we’re going to tackle that game,” Boult said.

If the two sides indeed meet in the last-four stage, it will also be a repeat of the 2019 semi-finals in Manchester, which the Black Caps won by 18 runs.

“I think there’ll be a lot of excitement… it doesn’t get any bigger than taking on India in front of 1.5 billion people. Yeah, it’s very exciting.”