Cricket World Cup 2015 Schedule: Upcoming Group Fixtures and Live Stream Info

The pool stages of the Cricket World Cup have been a drawn-out affair, but after a host of thoroughly entertaining matches, we’re set for a thrilling finale in Pool B.

Two spots remain up for grabs in the quarter-finals of this thrilling competition, but Pakistan, Ireland and the West Indies all still remain in contention. The latter have to beat minnows United Arab Emirates to cement their qualification spot; if they do, it’s a case of winner takes all when the other aforementioned sides go head-to-head.

These are the last two matches remaining in the round-robin format once Saturday's encounters reach conclusion, and with plenty riding on them, expect fireworks in both. Here’s the tournament’s upcoming schedule and a closer look at those two enticing ties still to come in Pool B.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Fixtures

Pool Matches

Mar. 15 Pool B: West Indies v United Arab Emirates, Napier (10 p.m. GMT, Mar. 14)

Mar. 15 Pool B: Pakistan v Ireland, Adelaide (d/n) (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Quarter-Finals

Mar. 18 Quarter-final 1, A1 v B4, Sydney (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 19 Quarter-final 2, A2 v B3, Melbourne (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 20 Quarter-final 3, A3 v B2, Adelaide (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 21 Quarter-final 4, A4 v B1, Wellington (1 a.m. GMT)

Semi-Finals

Mar. 24 Semi-final 1, Winner QF1 v Winner QF3, Auckland (1 a.m. GMT)

Mar. 26 Semi-final 2, Winner QF2 v Winner QF4, Sydney (3:30 a.m. GMT)

Final

Mar. 29 Final, Melbourne (4:30 a.m. BST) 

Schedule courtesy of BBC Sport.

Matches can be streamed via Sky Go (UK) or ESPN Cricket 2015 (US).

West Indies vs. United Arab Emirates

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When you consider that the UAE have lost all five of their matches handsomely at this tournament so far, this is a game that the men from the Caribbean should be relishing. But when it comes to the West Indies, you can never quite be sure of exactly what’s going to happen.

They’ve already endured some massive highs and lows at this tournament and should have more than enough to beat the Associate nation in this one. But against India, there were a few worrying signs from this team, something touched upon by Freddie Wilde of ESPN cricinfo:

Captain Jason Holder will be looking for his experienced figures to step up and make an impression, for a win virtually guarantees qualification for the quarter-finals, provided there is a victor in the final match of the group.

But the UAE have shown fillips of quality at this tournament despite their losses, most notably courtesy of Shaiman Anwar.

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As noted by Geoff Lemon of the Guardian, the batsman has outshone some illustrious names on this high-pressure stage:

But despite their inconsistencies, the Windies will surely have enough to make it into the last eight of the competition. The incentives are obvious for this group of players, and when they turn it on, they’re a side capable of matching the very best around. Provided their focus remains intact, they’ll secure a comfortable victory.

Ireland vs. Pakistan

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Should the West Indies get the job done against UAE, this encounter essentially becomes a knockout tie. And looking at their respective performances in the tournament to date, it’s very difficult to pick a winner between the two.

Ireland are the underdogs for this one, but they’ve shown enough class to suggest they’re capable of getting the job done against the 1992 winners. As the team’s official Twitter account reminded supporters ahead of the match, it’s a feat they’ve achieved in the past, too:

This group of Irish players boasts a lot more quality than that 2007 squad as well. The batting line-up in particular is bristling with quality, and as was evident in matches like the one against the West Indies, the men in green are capable of making or chasing big runs on the pitches Down Under.

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Indeed, even though they lost in their last outing against India, Ireland actually fared better against the reigning champions than any other side in Pool B, per the Cricket World Cup Twitter account:

Pakistan have been on something of a roll of late, though. They started the tournament in a major lull, but a recent win over South Africa suggested they were very much back to their best. But as is often the case with the West Indies, it’s difficult to rely on the consistency of this Pakistani team.

Expect a very tight match here in what will surely climax in a nail-biting finale. But given the extra experience of playing at this level and the momentum accrued by that win over the Proteas, Pakistan should just scrape through and take their place amongst the quarter-finalists.