The Cricket World Cup's group stage in England is nearing completion and we are heading into the business end of the tournament. Apart from Australia, none of the other semifinalists are confirmed yet.
A World Cup many claimed to be predictable came to life after Sri Lanka stunned England who faltered while chasing a modest score of 232. The matches between Afghanistan and India; New Zealand and West Indies, were also closely fought and helped breathe life into the tournament, which has been beset with problems including rain washouts.
TNM takes a look at the campaign so far for the teams taking part and what each team needs to do to make the semifinals.
Australia
Australia, the first official semifinalist of the World Cup, is at the top of the table with 12 points after playing seven matches. They have won six and lost the one match against India.
With two more matches to play – against New Zealand and South Africa – Australia will be looking to finish top of the table.
Remaining matches: New Zealand, South Africa
New Zealand
New Zealand suffered their first loss of the tournament against Pakistan on Wednesday. With 11 points from seven games, the Kiwis are strong favourites to progress to the semifinals. Their match against India was washed out due to rain and both the teams had to be satisfied with one point each from the abandoned game.
Remaining matches: England, Australia
India
India is also unbeaten in the World Cup so far and is currently third on the table having played lesser matches than their rivals Australia and New Zealand. Rohit Sharma has starred with the bat while Jasprit Bumrah has been excellent with the ball in wins over Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and South Africa.
India still has matches against West Indies, England, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka left, and can ill-afford to be complacent with a place in the knockouts yet to be secured.
Remaining matches: West Indies, England, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
England
Hosts England started the World Cup as favourites but are now fighting to stay alive after losing back-to-back games. With two more matches in hand – against India and New Zealand – England fans will be closely following the matches played by rivals Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, who are all vying for a semifinal spot at their expense.
In case England loses both matches, it will remain on 8 points and faces the risk of being eliminated from the tournament. If England wins one of the remaining matches, it will have to rely on results elsewhere to ensure progress into the semis.
Remaining matches: India, New Zealand
Bangladesh
Bangladesh has had an impressive World Cup campaign so far and is currently fifth on the table with seven points. With wins over West Indies, South Africa and Afghanistan, and narrow losses against Australia and New Zealand, the team faces Asian rivals India and Pakistan, for a place in the semis.
Shakib Al-Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahman have starred for the team while Tamim Iqbal and Mustifizur Rahman have also chipped in with handy contributions.
Remaining matches: India, Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Currently in sixth position on the table with six points, Sri Lanka revived its campaign with a stirring win over England led by their pace spearhead Lasith Malinga. With three matches left, the team will have to continue the winning momentum if it wants to entertain any hopes of making it to the knockouts.
Remaining matches: South Africa, West Indies, India
Pakistan
Pakistan has blown hot and cold at this year's World Cup. Wins over England and South Africa have come amid losses against Australia and India. But the team is still in contention for a semifinal spot and will need to get over the line in their remaining matches against New Zealand, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to stay in the tournament.
Remaining matches: New Zealand, Afghanistan, Bangladesh.
West Indies
With just 3 points from six games, West Indies are on their way out of the World Cup. The team capitulated to lose from a winning position against Australia and narrowly lost to New Zealand in a thrilling last-over finish. Mathematically, the team could still make the semis but they will need other results to go their way.
Remaining matches: India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan
South Africa
South Africa has endured a torrid time in this year's World Cup and will now be playing for pride in its remaining matches. Even winning their remaining matches will not take the team into the top 4. The team's campaign was rocked by off the field controversy after it emerged that former cricketer AB de Villiers had offered to come out of retirement to play for the team. However, the team management turned down his request citing that it was too late to include the retired batsman.
Remaining matches: Sri Lanka, Australia
Afghanistan
Afghanistan entered the World Cup as outsiders and are now the only side that are still winless in the tournament. Afghanistan's campaign has been riddled with problems in the dressing room but the team almost managed to pull it off against India. The batting however once again let the team down while chasing a modest score of 225.
Remaining matches: Pakistan, West Indies