NEW DELHI: The race for the final semifinal spot in the ICC Women's World Cup is intensifying, with India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka all in contention. Australia, England, and South Africa have already booked their places in the semifinals.

India eye pivotal win over New Zealand in virtual World Cup Quarterfinal

Thursday's showdown between India and New Zealand could prove decisive for the trio of teams vying for the last semifinal spot. Here's a look at all the possible scenarios as the group stage reaches its final stretch.

4. India - 4 points, +0.526 NRR

If India win their remaining matches against New Zealand and Bangladesh, they will secure the fourth semifinal spot. However, a victory over the White Ferns alone would also guarantee their place in the semifinals, regardless of the outcome of their final league-stage game.

If India defeat New Zealand but lose to Bangladesh, they would finish with six points - making them the only team in the tournament to end with that points tally and a total of three wins.

16.10.2 of the playing conditions for the tournament confirm:

In the event of teams finishing on equal points in the league stage, the ordering of teams will be decided in the following order of priority:

– The team with the greatest number of wins in the league matches will be placed in the higher position.

– If there are teams with equal points and equal wins in the league matches, then in such case the teams will be ordered according to their net run rate (NRR) in the league matches (refer to 16.10.5 below for the calculation of NRR).

– If two or more teams are still equal, they will be ordered according to the result of the head-to-head match played between them (points, then if still equal, NRR in those matches.

– If the above does not resolve the league ordering, or if all matches within the league stage produce no results, the teams will be ordered as per their original league seedings.

That means India would own the tie break over New Zealand - and potentially Sri Lanka - with a win over the White Ferns and a loss to Bangladesh.

If India lose to New Zealand and then defeat Bangladesh, they will be relying on England defeating the White Ferns on the final day of the league stage to sneak into the final four.

If India lose both their remaining matches then they are out of contention for the semi-finals.

5. New Zealand – 4 points, -0.245 NRR

If New Zealand win both of their remaining matches - against India and England - they will finish on eight points and secure a place in the semifinals.

However, if they beat India but lose to England, the Kiwis will depend on Bangladesh defeating India on the final day and on having a higher net run rate than Sri Lanka (or on Pakistan beating Sri Lanka) to advance.

6. Sri Lanka - 4 points, -1.035 NRR

Sri Lanka must beat Pakistan in their final group match to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

In addition, they would need India to lose both of their remaining games against New Zealand and Bangladesh, New Zealand to be defeated by England, and their net run rate to surpass that of the Kiwis.