JOIN USWith the final set of Super Eight matches in Group 2 to be played on Tuesday, the think-tank of each team was busy on Monday doing the permutations and combinations and analysing the various scenarios of their qualification to the World T20 semifinals.
It would take something out of the ordinary for Australia, on top of the table with two big wins and enjoying an impressive run-rate, to go out of the tournament just as South Africa, with two defeats in as many matches, would need all the stars to align in their favour for them to advance. It’s, however, India and Pakistan that will be more anxious as a slight slip-up here and a miscalculation there may see either one or both of them dumped out of the championship.
On the face of it, India’s fate is entirely in their hands.
Enjoying a healthy net run-rate of +1.712, Australia have one foot already in the semifinals and should they beat Pakistan on Tuesday, they will be through to the last four as the only undefeated side in the tournament. A defeat for Pakistan means that a simple win for India against South Africa later in the day would take them to the knockout stage as they will have four points against their neighbours’ two.
In the event of Pakistan’s loss, India can fancy their chances of joining Australia in the semifinals even if they lose to the Proteas. For that, though, they have to ensure that their margin of defeat isn’t big enough for South Africa to better their run-rate which, at -0.605, is the worst in the group.
In the possibility of Pakistan beating Australia, India have to beat South Africa by a big margin to negate Pakistan’s run-rate which is marginally superior.
For India and Pakistan to go through, both sides need to score big wins over their respective rivals on Tuesday.