Cliff Notes – Four teams fight for one spot
- Bangladesh has been eliminated from the Women’s World Cup 2025 after a narrow seven-run defeat to Sri Lanka, marking them as the first team out of the tournament.
- India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan are vying for the final semi-final spot, with India needing to win against New Zealand to secure their place.
- New Zealand must win their next two matches to advance, while Sri Lanka and Pakistan require specific outcomes in their remaining games to keep their semi-final hopes alive.
Scenarios – Four teams fight for one spot
- India can qualify by defeating New Zealand; a washout could also benefit them if other results align.
- New Zealand’s fate hinges on their performance against India and England, needing wins to stay in contention.
- Sri Lanka must beat Pakistan and rely on India losing both remaining matches to have a chance at the semi-finals.
- Pakistan, still winless, must secure victories in their last two games while hoping for favourable outcomes in other matches.
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. Note: In case points are tied, number of wins take precedence over net run-rate
India – Matches 5, Wins 2, Points 4, NRR 0.526
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 – Matches 5, Wins 1, Points 4, NRR -0.245
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.
Chamari Athapaththu was trapped lbw AFP/Getty ImagesSri Lanka – Matches 6, Wins 1, Points 4, NRR -1.035
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.
Pakistan – Matches 5, Wins 0, Points 2, NRR -1.887
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.
