London: West Indies pace legend Michael Holding has reportedly questioned the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) playing conditions to allow teams to progress to the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2019 based on net run rate (NRR).

Holding said teams should not be placed in the points table based on net run rate when two sides are tied on same points. He was referring to Pakistan’s chances of going through to the last-four stage.

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Today (July 5), at Lord’s, Pakistan opted to bat first against Bangladesh and if they win by a margin of over 311 runs, they stand a chance to overtake New Zealand on net run rate and qualify for the semi-finals as the fourth-best placed team in the 10-team tournament. Already, Australia, India and hosts England have qualified for the semi-finals.

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According to a tweet from a Pakistan journalist, Holding said this. “Pakistan should be in the semi-finals if they beat Bangladesh. NRR should be the last thing to consider. If points & wins are equal then the result between both teams should be deciding factor. Since Pakistan beat New Zealand they should be in semi-finals (sic),” he tweeted quoting Holding as saying.

Holding said ICC should look at head-to-head record in the group stage if two teams are tied on same points. If Pakistan beat Bangladesh then they will be tied with the Kiwis on 11 points each.

After winning the toss, Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said they were looking to post a big total on the board. “We will bat first. Only chance we have is to bat first and put a big total on the board. So we will try our best.”

Here is what Pakistan need to do to qualify for semi-finals

Score 350 and win by 311 runs

Score 400 and win by 316 runs

Score 450 and win by 321 runs