Pakistan had got to the semi-finals in six of the past 10 World Cups just like Australia and New Zealand, but have not qualified this time and thus remain on 6. Meanwhile, India will be playing their sixth semi-final when they take on Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Thursday. South Africa have got to their fourth semi-final since playing their first World Cup in 1992.

Like New Zealand, South Africa have also not won any of their World Cup semi-finals. They tied against Australia in 1999 but couldn’t qualify as they were below Australia in the Super-Sixes stage.

Let’s see the win-loss record for all the teams in World Cup semi-finals.

Win-Loss record in World Cup semi-finals

Reaching semi-finals in consecutive World Cups

New Zealand reached the semi-finals in the last two World Cups as well. They are the only team to have reached the semi-finals in each of the last three World Cups including the current edition. Sri Lanka, who were the only team to reach the semi-finals in 2003, 2007 and 2011, have missed out this time.

The record for reaching the semi-finals in most consecutive World Cups belongs to England, who made it in all of the first five World Cups. They couldn’t win any of those World Cups and remained the runner-ups thrice (1979, 1987 and 1992).

The table below lists the teams with most consecutive World Cup semi-final appearances.

Australia reached the last 4 in four consecutive World Cups but lost the quarter-final to India in the last World Cup. West Indies, after the 1983 World Cup, reached the semi-finals only once (in 1996). Pakistan reached the semi-finals four times in the first five World Cups and only twice in the next six World Cups.

South Africa, New Zealand and Kenya are the only teams to have reached the semi-finals without winning even once. England, meanwhile, are the only team to have reached the final and not lifted the trophy.

Sri Lanka didn’t cross the group stages in the first five World Cups and then got to the semi-finals in four of the next five World Cups (and to finals thrice).

World Cup semi-finals for each team:

England lost to India in the 1983 World Cup semi-final and won against them in the 1987 World Cup semi-final.

New Zealand lost to Pakistan in the semi-finals of 1992 and 1999 and to Sri Lanka in 2007 and 2011.

Pakistan lost to West Indies in consecutive World Cup semi-finals of 1979 and 1983.

Let us analyze the teams’ win-loss record in semi-finals of other ICC tournaments.

Win-Loss record in Champions Trophy semi-finals

Win/Loss record in World T20 semi-finals

Win-Loss record in all ICC tournament semi-finals (World Cup, Champions Trophy, World T20)

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