In an analysis of New Zealand’s dominating performance against Bangladesh in the World Cup 2023, cricket analyst Aakash Chopra confidently asserts that the Kiwis are charging ahead towards a spot in the semifinals.
The match, held in Chennai on October 13, saw New Zealand successfully limit Bangladesh to 245/9. The 2019 World Cup finalists then comfortably chased down the target, securing their third consecutive win and claiming the top spot on the points table.
Chopra, in a video on his YouTube channel, pointed out the impressive consistency of the Black Caps.
“Three out of three games have been won by New Zealand. New Zealand is charging on in hopes of making their first semi-final. They have such a wish. We’ll see if they reach before us,” he said.
“Kane Williamson is back and he started scoring runs right away. Prior to then, Devon Conway was also playing well, and Daryl Mitchell also scored runs. Even after Rachin Ravindra got out, nothing changed. An easy one-sided game it was that the Kiwis won,” he said.
“They dress in black, yet they are not the dark horses. They truly have a good chance of making it to the semifinals, and they will. They appear to be a really strong squad. They can easily get there,” he added.
Chopra further predicted that India and South Africa would secure two of the remaining three semifinal spots. While acknowledging England and Pakistan as potential contenders for the fourth spot, he emphasized the challenge for Pakistan, stating they must overcome India to advance to the semis. He noted that Pakistan, despite pre-tournament expectations, doesn’t appear as formidable as he initially perceived.