The White Ferns’ hopes of reaching the Cricket World Cup semi-finals have taken a hit following another washout.<\/p>\n
New Zealand’s match against Pakistan in Colombo was called off with both teams earning one point.<\/p>\n
The result means South Africa becomes the second team to qualify for the final four. Australia had already booked their place in the semi-finals.<\/p>\n
Batting first in Colombo, Pakistan reached 53-3 when rain first disrupted the game.<\/p>\n
The players did return to the field and Pakistan, who remain bottom of the standings, got to 92-5 before wet weather returned.<\/p>\n
This time the rain didn’t clear, with the match the second straight no result for the White Ferns, following their washed-out game against co-hosts Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n
Seamer Lea Tahuhu was the best of the New Zealand bowlers with two wickets.<\/p>\n
The White Ferns are fifth in the standings, level on four points with fourth-placed India with two games remaining. New Zealand can still reach the semi-finals, though they may need other results to go their way.<\/p>\n
India, who the White Ferns play next, have three games left and currently have a better net run rate than New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Third placed England, New Zealand’s final pool opponent, have seven points and need just one win from their final two games to guarantee their place in the last four.<\/p>\n
If the White Ferns beat India and England in their final two games, they would likely need a big win over India (to fix the run rate deficit) or for England to lose to Australia in their next match, to advance to the semi-finals.<\/p>\n
The White Ferns take on India on October 23 before rounding out pool play against England on October 26.<\/p>\n