ICC ODI World Cup 2023: South Africa go to Top of Standings With Decimation Job of New Zealand

South Africa registered a thumping 190-run win over New Zealand at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Wednesday to rise to the top of the table.

South Africa put up a total of 357 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in 50 overs and managed to bundle out New Zealand for 167 runs to earn an emphatic victory.

ICC World Cup: Schedule | Results | Points Table | Most Runs | Most Wickets

The win lifted South Africa to the very top of the points table and virtually ensured their passage into the semifinal of the ICC event. The Proteas have 12 points from 7 games, having won all but one of their games at the tournament in India. Their only loss in the event came at the hands of The Netherlands as the European side claimed a shocking victory.

But the Temba Bavuma-led side has come back strong from the defeat and has notched up win after win ever since.

Hosts India, who have a perfect record in the event on home soil having won all six of their games, were pushed to second spot due to South Africa’s superior net run rate. However, the Rohit Sharma-led side have a match in hand.

Australia, who also recovered from a shocking start to the campaign stand third in the table with 8 points from 6 games. Neighbours New Zealand, who also have eight points thanks to their four wins from seven games are placed behind Australia due to the difference in NRR.

Babar Azam’s Pakistan, who have 6 points from 7 games come in at P5, ahead of Afghanistan, who have 6 points to their credit from as many games, on net run rate.

Sri Lanka and The Netherlands, who have four points each from six games each, hold positions seven and eight respectively.

Bangladesh and England, who have both won just one single game each at the Blue Ribbon tournament, are placed 9th and 10th on the table. Both teams are out of contention for the knockout phase of the tournament.

Hosts India take on Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday in their next assignment as the home side has the opportunity to go ahead of South Africa in the standings.