New Zealand has the chance to follow Australia into the semifinals of the Cricket World Cup if it beats Pakistan at Edgbaston on Wednesday.
Pakistan can move one point behind fourth-place England with a win, and go level with Bangladesh, as the race for the finals spots unexpectedly opens up.
New Zealand has 11 points from six games and is chasing its eighth semifinal appearance at the tournament and the chance to regain top spot in the 10-team standings from Australia. Defending champion Australia secured a place in the semifinals with a comfortable win over top-ranked England on Tuesday.
Pakistan's captain Sarfaraz Ahmed right leads the team from the field as they celebrate after they defeated South Africa by 49 runs in their Cricket World Cup match between Pakistan and South Africa at Lord's cricket ground in London, Sunday, June 23, 2019. (AP PhotoAlastair Grant)
Seventh-place Pakistan has five points, After appearing to be down and out after losing three of its first five matches, Pakistan has been given a potential lifeline by England. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are Pakistan's closest rivals also in the hunt for a semifinal spot.
Pakistan, the 1992 champion, leads 2015 finalist New Zealand 6-2 in World Cup games.
The weather forecast is for cloudy conditions and light drizzle before improving, with temperatures up to 19 degrees Celsius (66 Fahrenheit).
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