ISLAMABAD: Pakistan are all but out of the race for a spot in the top four teams of the ICC World Cup 2019 as England crushed New Zealand by 119 runs on Wednesday to reach the semifinals for the first time since 1992.
Pakistan are at the fifth spot on the points table with nine points and a net run-rate of -0.792. On Friday, they will play their last group game against Bangladesh at Lord’s and would need to win by at least 316 runs to qualify for the semifinals. Anything short of this margin will see New Zealand, with a much superior net run-rate, sail through to the semis.
A seven-wicket defeat against West Indies in Pakistan’s opening game of the tournament seriously dented their run-rate.
The green shirts initially won just one of their first five World Cup matches but bounced back strongly with victories against South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan to give themselves a shot at reaching the semifinals.
Last week, a win against Afghanistan, their third consecutive victory, lifted Pakistan into fourth place in the 10-team table, above hosts England.
Had England been defeated in both of their last two matches, against India and New Zealand, Pakistan would have almost certainly made the semifinals. England won both matches.
The top four teams currently are Australia, India, England, and New Zealand. England will now play their semifinal at Edgbaston next Thursday against either India or Australia.
Pakistan’s World Cup dream all but dead as hosts England reach semifinals
Pakistan’s World Cup dream all but dead as hosts England reach semifinals
- Pakistan at fifth spot on points table with nine points and net run-rate of -0.792
- New Zealand set to qualify for semis unless Pakistan beat Bangladesh by near-impossible margin
FIA’s United Against Online Abuse campaign welcomes Palestinian student
- Ghada Ashour, 24, who grew up in Gaza, becomes fifth scholar selected for FIA’s flagship scholarship initiative
DUBAI: The FIA’s United Against Online Abuse campaign has welcomed Ghada Ashour, a 24-year-old student from Palestine, to its flagship scholarship program, created to empower the next generation of researchers in the fight against online abuse in sport.
Ashour grew up in Gaza where she had been studying remotely until gaining a place on the UAOA scholarship, which brought her to Dublin City University, Ireland.
Becoming the fifth scholar to join the program, she was selected based on her interests in social media, and passion for advancing insights in this area for the benefit of sportspeople.
Launched in 2023, the program offers talented students and young professionals from diverse backgrounds the chance to engage in research on the impact, prevalence, and prevention of online abuse in sport.
Funded by the FIA Foundation, the UAOA scholars have been selected to undertake research dedicated to positive social change.
Ashour’s thesis, which will be printed in English and Arabic, will focus specifically on the relationship between athlete activism and online abuse.
Athletes increasingly speak out on war, conflict, and social and environmental issues. Although the attention such athletes bring can be positive, research indicates it can lead to significant abuse.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, founder of the UAOA campaign, said: “The FIA is committed to extending opportunities across the world while inspiring and developing the next generation.
“Education lies at the core of this mission, and I am pleased to welcome Ghada as the latest student in the UAOA Scholarship Programme.
“Her experience and research will help broaden the international perspective on this critical issue. This pioneering research program will help ensure we safeguard the future of sport for generations to come.”
Ashour said she was “truly grateful” to the FIA leader: “It is a dream come true to study the subject I am passionate about at a leading institution in this field.
“I am so excited to advance the field of research in online abuse in sport and to contribute to this prevalent topic which is impacting so many people’s lives on a daily basis.”
The UAOA’s 2025 Barometer Report found that 75 percent of sports federations report continued threats against competitors and their families, and that 90 percent believe abuse could force athletes to leave their sport.
Dublin City University is a leading academic institution in the study of online abuse.
Each scholar is fully funded and mentored by leading experts in the field. They are able to attend UAOA events, where they can share their findings with a global audience of policymakers, sports federations, and digital platforms.
The inaugural cohort of four UAOA scholars included participants from Italy, South Africa, the UK, and Mexico.
