Both India and South Africa need to lose to Bangladesh and the Netherlands, two teams that are considered to be underdogs, for Pakistan to advance to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan semi-final T20 World Cup qualification possibilities
Pakistan must win their remaining matches, particularly Thursday’s crucial match against a confident South African team. However, if India loses to Bangladesh on Wednesday, the Men in Green will proceed to the semi-finals. Two games will decide Pakistan’s fate in the ICC T20 World Cup semi-finals between India and South Africa. Let’s begin by imagining that Pakistan will win their next two matches.
If India is stunned by Bangladesh on Wednesday, India will likely win on Sunday against Zimbabwe. Also, it’s possible that Group 2 will be won by an Asian side (Pakistan, India, or Sri Lanka) from Asia. Each team’s NRR will determine which four will advance. Pakistan’s NRR is exceptionally high at 0.765, while India’s would collapse after a loss.
So, Pakistan will have a shot at making the semifinals if they win their remaining two matches against South Africa and Bangladesh and if the Netherlands beat South Africa on Sunday. With a higher net run rate than South Africa, Pakistan would defeat them by six points and win the match.
Also, there are still unplayed games in the second group. Zimbabwe will play the Netherlands at Adelaide Oval on November 2. India and Bangladesh will play each other at Adelaide Oval on November 2.
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood.
Standby players: Usman Qadir, Mohammad Haris, Shahnawaz Dahan.
Remaining Group 2 Fixtures
- 2 November: Zimbabwe v Netherlands, Adelaide Oval
- 2 November: India v Bangladesh, Adelaide Oval
- 3 November: Pakistan v South Africa, SCG, Sydney
- 6 November: South Africa v Netherlands, Adelaide Oval
- 6 November: Pakistan v Bangladesh, Adelaide Oval
- 6 November: Zimbabwe v India, MCG, Melbourne