Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra predicts a New Zealand win in their 2023 World Cup clash against Sri Lanka will virtually guarantee them a semi-final place ahead of Pakistan. However, New Zealand will play against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru on Thursday, November 9. Although they are equal on points with Pakistan and Afghanistan, they have a much superior net run rate as well.

Previewing the game in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “If New Zealand win, it will become almost impossible for Pakistan. I think it was Mazhar’s stat. Pakistan will have to beat England by 130 runs plus whatever will be the difference with which New Zealand defeats Sri Lanka. New Zealand are losing matches continuously. They weren’t dropping even a single match at the start, but once they started losing, they haven’t won at all. They lost even after scoring 400 runs. They lost via DLS but lost.”

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However, Aakash Chopra also added that New Zealand will also have to survive against rain as well. He added that there is an 80% chance of rain in Bengaluru, although he did share that the city didn’t see any rain on Wednesday. He also believes New Zealand have a formidable batting lineup as well.

“Devon Conway has come in good form. Rachin Ravindra has always been in good form. Kane Williamson is looking as good as old. You have got Daryl Mitchell. Their batting has the might. 400 runs are not scored if you don’t have the might. The other thing that works in New Zealand’s favor is that when they are put under pressure, they combine their fingers to make a fist. Kane Williamson has said that Lockie Ferguson is available. You might want to play him against Sri Lanka,” Aakash Chopra concluded.