We’ve reached the pointy end of the T20 World Cup group stage, so it’s time to get the calculator out and work our what every team needs to do to qualify for the next stage.
GROUP A
India, United States of America, Pakistan, Canada, Ireland
India’s victory over the USA on Thursday saw the powerhouse qualify automatically for the Super Eights. But it’s for the remaining slot where the interest lies.
It is still mathematically possible for any nation in Group A to qualify, with host nation the USA needing victory against Canada to qualify..
But for Pakistan, the situation is slightly more complicated — Babar Azam’s men need to defeat Ireland and boost their net run rate above the USA, but even then they’re relying on other results and weather.
Meanwhile, it would take a miracle for either Canada or Ireland to finish in the top two.
Ladder
1. India — 6 points (+1.137)
2. USA — 4 points (+0.127)
3. Pakistan — 2 points (+0.191)
4. Canada — 2 points (-0.493)
5. Ireland — 0 points (-1.712)
Remaining matches
Saturday, June 15 — USA vs Ireland
Sunday, June 16 — India vs Canada
Monday, June 17 — Pakistan vs Ireland
GROUP B
Australia, Scotland, Namibia, England, Oman
Australia has already qualified for the Super Eights, while Namibia and Oman have been eliminated, creating a two-horse race between England and Scotland for the vacant slot.
England were in deep trouble before thrashing Oman on Friday in the fastest win in T20 World Cup history. It boosted their net run rate above Scotland and should make the net run rate equation obsolete.
Scotland face Australia on Sunday, just after England play Namibia. The situation is simple: If Scotland win, they progress regardless of England’s result. If Scotland lose and England win, England go through.
If either match is washed out, Scotland will progress – but the weather forecast is unlikely.
Australia had flagged they could attempt to manipulate the result to knock the old enemy out of the tournament. But England’s huge net run rate boost from the Oman win makes that virtually impossible now.
Ladder
1. Australia (Q) — 6 points (+3.580)
2. Scotland — 5 points (+2.164)
3. England — 3 points (+ 3.081)
4. Namibia (E) — 2 points (-2.098)
5. Oman (E) — 0 points (-3.062)
Remaining matches
Sunday, June 16 — Namibia vs England
Sunday, June 16 — Australia vs Scotland
GROUP C
Afghanistan, West Indies, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand
Afghanistan and the West Indies are off to a flying start, with the latter sealing qualification after three-straight wins and the former on the brink of joining them.
Afghanistan likely need just one win from their last two matches thanks to a healthy NRR.
New Zealand, meanwhile, had a disastrous start with two-straight losses.
If Afghanistan beat Papua New Guinea on Friday, they’ll be through – and they’ll end New Zealand’s hopes.
PNG could progress if they beat Afghanistan and New Zealand and see Afghanistan lose their final match against the West Indies, while Uganda is also a mathematical chance if they thrash NZ and Afghanistan fall apart.
Ladder
1. West Indies — 6 points (+2.596)
2. Afghanistan — 4 points (+5.225)
3. Uganda — 2 points (-4.217)
4. Papua New Guinea — 0 points (-0.434)
5. New Zealand — 0 points (-2.425)
Remaining matches
Friday, June 14th — Afghanistan vs Papua New Guinea
Saturday, June 15th — New Zealand vs Uganda
Tuesday, June 18th — New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea
Tuesday, June 18th — West Indies vs Afghanistan
GROUP D
South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Nepal, Sri Lanka
South Africa was the first nation to qualify for the Super Eights, winning their first three group-stage matches despite some nervy moments with the bat.
Bangladesh is likely to join them after beating the Netherlands on Friday morning. They face Nepal in their final match, where a win would get them through.
But Nepal could still progress if they beat South Africa and Bangladesh.
And the Netherlands have a chance if South Africa beat Nepal, but Nepal beat Bangladesh. In that case, the Netherlands could progress with a win over Sri Lanka. For now, it’s out of their hands.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup dream is all but over after Wednesday’s match against Nepal in Florida was abandoned due to weather.
Ladder
1. South Africa (Q) — 6 points (+0.603)
2. Bangladesh — 4 points (+0.478)
3. Netherlands — 2 points (-0.408)
4. Nepal — 1 point (-0.539)
5. Sri Lanka — 1 point (-0.777)
Remaining matches
Saturday, June 15th — South Africa vs Nepal
Monday, June 17th — Bangladesh vs Nepal
Monday, June 17th — Sri Lanka vs Netherlands