Cricket World Cup 2015 Schedule: Pool A and B Fixtures, Knockout Dates and More

Ireland face a momentous Pool B clash in Adelaide on Sunday against Pakistan. It is a must-win game with both sides needing a victory to guarantee qualification to the knockout rounds of the 2015 World Cup.

The Irish can still theoretically qualify without a win at the Adelaide Oval, but they will likely need the United Arab Emirates to pick up a victory over West Indies, as the men in green are at a disadvantage due to net run rate.

India have already qualified as group winners from Pool B, but they will wish to keep their perfect record going with victory over Zimbabwe in Auckland on Saturday.

Here is the remaining schedule for the group stages of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, as well as the dates for the knockout rounds:

Date	Time (GMT)	Fixture	Venue
March 14	1 a.m.	India vs. Zimbabwe	Auckland
March 14	3:30 a.m.	Australia vs. Scotland	Hobart
March 15	10 p.m. (day before)	West Indies vs. UAE	Napier
March 15	3:30 a.m.	Pakistan vs. Ireland	Adelaide
March 18	3:30 a.m.	Quarter-final 1	Sydney
March 19	3:30 a.m.	Quarter-final 2	Melbourne
March 20	3:30 a.m.	Quarter-final 3	Adelaide
March 21	1 a.m.	Quarter-final 4	Wellington
March 24	1 a.m.	Semi-final 1	Auckland
March 25	3:30 a.m.	Semi-final 2	Sydney
March 29	4:30 a.m. BST	Final	Melbourne

Ireland and Pakistan can both book their places in the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Sunday if they share the two points on offer.

However, with a no result unlikely—and ties incredibly rare—a last-eight spot can likely only be guaranteed with victory.

Ireland and Pakistan are currently both on six points with one game remaining, while West Indies are on four, but with a victory likely in their final group encounter against UAE on Sunday.

Big losses to India and South Africa have left Ireland with a dire net run rate, per Cricket Australia's Dave Middleton:

However, they should feel confident of being able to overcome Pakistan having picked up a terrific victory over the West Indies in their opener, followed by tight wins against UAE and Zimbabwe.

Even in defeat, Ireland have performed to a high level, putting on a better batting performance than any other side against the all-conquering Indians, despite the eight-wicket defeat, per Cricket World Cup:

Ireland have solid batting depth in the likes of Ed Joyce, William Porterfield, Andy Balbirnie and Kevin and Niall O'Brien, all of whom will need to be on form if they are to pick up the vital victory over Pakistan.

It will be a hugely tense occasion for both teams, though, as Pakistan are in a similarly precarious position, with their World Cup future hanging in the balance, per former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar:

"

if Ireland Beat Pakistan and WestIndies Win against UAE 150 runs or Beat 6 wickets Than Pak will out the of the #cwc15 #PakvIRE #WIvsUAE

— Shoaib Akhtar (@ShoaibAkhtarPk) March 10, 2015"

"

Ind victory pushed Pak into a relatively comfortable zone BUT a defeat Vs Ireland & a huge WI victory Vs UAE will knock Pakistan out #cwc

— Shoaib Akhtar (@ShoaibAkhtarPk) March 10, 2015"

Pakistan started their World Cup in shocking fashion, losing heavily to archrivals India followed by a humbling to the West Indies.

However, wins over Zimbabwe and UAE were followed by a phenomenal 29-run victory over a high-quality South Africa side, which will give them huge momentum coming into their final group encounter.

The bowlers were the stars on that occasion, and they will be key again in restricting Ireland's very capable batting unit.

With Pool A's last-eight contenders all already confirmed—Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand—and South Africa and India through from Pool B, Sunday's results will confirm the last two spots remaining at the 2015 World Cup.

Ireland and Pakistan have their destiny in their own hands, while West Indies can simply aim for a huge win over UAE, but it is guaranteed to be a tense and battling end to an exciting group stages.