SA decimate SL; Pakistan survives Afghanistan scare

South Africa brought out their A-game too late by crushing Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street. Chris Morris and Dwayne Pretorius bagged three wickets each to bowl Sri Lanka out for 205. All South Africa needed were unbeaten knocks from Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis of 80 and 96, respectively, for a nine-wicket win. The following day at Headingley, however, proved to be amazing. Against Afghanistan, Pakistan had to give it their all to remain afloat, and Shaheen Afridi ensured just that. He grabbed 4 for 47, as Afghanistan managed only 227 for 9; but Afghanistan suddenly brought interest into the game by reducing Pakistan to 156 for 6 after 39 overs. Imad Wasim remained the only recognized batsman with the tail for company. His exploits at the death - coupled with questionable decisions by Gulbadin Naib - took Pakistan closer with every over. Imad finished on 49* and was superbly aided by Wahab Riaz, who smacked 15* off 9. Pakistan survived with two deliveries left courtesy of the winning boundary by Man of the Match Imad.

Mitchell Starc’s second five-for; England breaks India's momentum

Mitchell Starc continued his dream run in World Cups following 22 wickets in 2015 in a Man of the Series performance with his second five-for in the 2019 edition. After Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey had steadied Australia's boat to help post 243 for 9 at Lord's, Starc broke New Zealand's back in the chase. They were bowled out for 157 from being 97 for 2 at one stage, as Starc’s dismissal of Kane Williamson triggered a collapse. Elsewhere, England faced a must-win match against one of the other favorites India at Edgbaston. Jonny Bairstow returned to form with a stroke-filled 111 as England piled up 337 for 7, five of those wickets taken by Mohammad Shami. India started cautiously after an early loss, and that over-watchful start would cost them the match despite Rohit Sharma hitting 102 and Virat Kohli scoring 66. They were limited to 306 for 5, as England took a step closer to the semi-finals.

SL eliminated; India and England qualify for the semi-final

England's win against India confirmed Sri Lanka's exit from the tournament, and so their 23-run win against West Indies would prove to be nothing other than a consolation. Young Avishka Fernando struck 104 in Sri Lanka's total of 338 for 6, trumping Nicholas Pooran's own 118 at Chester-le-Street. The following two days, though, saw conformations from India and England for a spot in the semi-finals. Rohit Sharma's fourth century this World Cup led India to 314 for 9 against Bangladesh, who - as they did with the bat so long - did put up a fight, but fell short with Jasprit Bumrah's 4 for 55 keeping them down to 286. The next day, England crushed New Zealand for a third successive loss in the tournament at Chester-le-Street. Jonny Bairstow's second consecutive century was key to England's total of 305 for 8. New Zealand were never into the chase, as regular wickets - three from Mark Wood and one each from five others - proved too much for them, getting bowled out for 186.

West Indies and Chris Gayle end on a winning note

The 2019 World Cup - as announced earlier - was to be the explosive Chris Gayle’s swansong. And West Indies ensured he left from the biggest stage on the right side. Though he made only 7 - which summed up a disappointing farewell tournament for him - Gayle's West Indies, courtesy of three half-centuries, got to 311 for 6 against Afghanistan at Lord's in their final group game. Afghanistan, themselves not able to match expectations, did not

West Indies and Chris Gayle end up winning not going down without a fight. Youngster Ikram Alikhil hit 86 amidst 62 from Rahmat Shah, but four wickets from Carlos Brathwaite and three from Kemar Roach finished Afghanistan's innings on 288. While Gayle, 39, endured only a mediocre tournament - just 243 runs at 30.38 - with a highest of 87, his legacy and inspiration would live on in the West Indies dressing room. However, he had made public his desire to continue playing ODIs and T20s recently. So whether he indeed steps out in his nation's colors again remains to be seen.