Babar Azam backing Pakistan to thrash England and qualify for Cricket World Cup semi-finals

Pakistan captain Babar Azam believes his side can overcome enormous odds by thrashing England and landing a spot in the Cricket World Cup semi-finals.

All logic says that the top four spots are already out of Pakistan's grasp but there remains the tiniest mathematical possibility that they could sneak past New Zealand on net run-rate.

To do so they would need to hammer England in the most emphatic way imaginable, winning by 287 runs or with 284 balls to spare if they chased.

Achieving either would be a jaw-dropping result and there should be entertainment in store at Kolkata's Eden Gardens, with Babar insisting Pakistan would be aiming high.

"It's in our mind and we will try to do it," he said. "We will try to execute our plans and (planning for) how we will achieve the target. There should be hope at all times.

"At any stage, at any work you do, you should have positive hope and I firmly believe in that.

"We can't just go in and start firing blindly, we want that but with proper planning. If you ask me, I would say if Fakhar Zaman is in the match (batting) for 20 or 30 overs, we can achieve that. Then follow up with Mohammed Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed. We can do this and we have planned for this."

Pakistan have already completed one highly unlikely success, defeating New Zealand last time out on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern despite the Black Caps posting 401 for six, Fakhar reeling in a formidable required rate with an unbeaten 126 in just 81 balls.

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