Women's World Cup: Group phase heads into crunch time

As Australia have already secured their place in the semi-finals of the ICC Women's World Cup, with their highest successful run chase in the event against India, all eyes are now on the remaining three spot as teams head into must-win encounters.

Bangladesh, being World Cup debutants, weren't tipped to compete for the top four places. However, their first-ever win in the event has kept them in contention, on paper at least, despite being seventh in the table, with two points in four matches played so far.

Victory over Pakistan, who are knocked out already, was well earned by the Tigresses, but the narrow four-run loss to West Indies in their previous outing means that Bangladesh must pull off three consecutive upsets against India, Australia and England, in that order, to qualify for the last four.

India had an inconsistent run so far. Despite huge wins over Pakistan and West Indies, losses to New Zealand, England and Australia caused their fate to no longer be in their own hands.

South Africa, so far, gathered eight points, which may well be the threshold for semifinals qualification. Thus, the West Indies will look to reach the checkpoint by beating Pakistan while New Zealand, with four points, and England, with two points, cannot afford to lose as they lock horns today.