Because the T20 World Cup 2024 enters its final week, it’s time for cricket groups to get again to the metaphorical drafting board and map out their paths to the knockout stage of the event.
4 out of the eight groups that progressed to the second spherical will fall to the facet and watch on as the opposite 4 line up for the semifinals.
The final spherical of Tremendous Eight matches might be performed on Sunday and Monday.
Every crew will get an opportunity to bag one final win. For some, it will likely be sufficient to sail by way of whereas others might want to win after which hope that the opposite match ends in a beneficial consequence.
Al Jazeera breaks down the state of affairs in each Tremendous Eight teams earlier than the final spherical of matches on June 23 and 24:
Tremendous Eights’ Group 1
Remaining fixtures: India vs Australia (June 24, 14:30 GMT), Afghanistan vs Bangladesh (June 25, 00:30 GMT)
India, by far, are the favourites to qualify having received each of their Tremendous Eight matches however might nonetheless should sweat it out in opposition to Australia.
Even when they win their final recreation, Australia and Afghanistan will nonetheless be depending on different outcomes and internet run charges (NRR).
Group 1 standings (as on June 23 at 13:00 GMT):
India: Favourites to qualify
A win in opposition to their 50-over World Cup remaining conquerors Australia won’t solely wipe away just a few tears but in addition ship India into their second consecutive T20 World Cup semifinal.
India have remained unbeaten within the event and would really like nothing greater than to keep up that streak whereas doubtlessly knocking out their acquainted foes.
A loss in opposition to Australia will nonetheless hold them forward of the opposite three groups, because of their spectacular NRR of two.425, which is able to possible be sufficient to see them by way of.
Australia: More likely to qualify
Australia discover themselves going into their final match in a near-sudden loss of life state of affairs. A loss in opposition to India within the day recreation in Saint Lucia will dent their semifinal possibilities closely. However the 2021 champions might nonetheless make it by way of if Bangladesh do them a favour and beat Afghanistan within the later Group 1 match on Monday night time in Saint Vincent.
A win in opposition to India should still not be sufficient however it should give Mitchell Marsh’s facet an higher hand given their superior NRR in comparison with Afghanistan.
They sit above Afghanistan on the desk because of their superior NRR of 0.223.
Afghanistan: More likely to qualify
From being thought of so-called minnows up till just a few years in the past to being thought of darkish horses for the title on this event, Afghanistan have constructed on their leads to each ICC event they’ve participated in.
Now, Rashid Khan’s facet have given themselves an opportunity to qualify for the knockout stage for the primary time of their historical past.
Ought to Australia lose to Australia, Afghanistan will merely must win their final match. If Australia handle to beat India, a win with a wholesome NRR might be required for a historic semifinal berth.
By the point Afghanistan play their recreation, they’ll have the precise NRR calculations in hand once they step on the sector in opposition to Bangladesh. A giant win in opposition to – with an approximate margin of fifty runs if batting first or chasing a goal in 5 to spare if bowling first – is more likely to ship them by way of.
A loss will ship their NRR of -0.650 spiralling and solely an Australian thrashing by India might give them a glimmer of hope.
This historic victory might be remembered for a protracted very long time! 🙌👊🤩👏🔥#AfghanAtalan | #T20WorldCup | #AFGvAUS | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/cdvwLiyz0r
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) June 23, 2024
Bangladesh: Mathematical probability
The one method Bangladesh might come stage on factors with Australia and Afghanistan might be by beating the latter and hoping that India beat the previous.
Nevertheless, even when all three groups are stage on factors, Bangladesh are more likely to have the worst NRR, which at the moment stands at -2.489. On this case, solely a ridiculously huge win over Afghanistan might give them an opportunity of qualifying.
Tremendous Eights’ Group 2
South Africa have overcome all of the challenges the T20 World Cup has thrown at them thus far and are favourites for a semifinal spot however England and West Indies might be depending on outcomes and NRR.
Group 2 standings (as on June 23 at 13:00 GMT):
South Africa: Favourites to qualify
Remaining fixtures: England vs USA (June 23, 14:30 GMT), West Indies vs South Africa (June 24, 00:30 GMT)
The Proteas can qualify as desk toppers by beating West Indies. A loss might additionally see them qualify ought to England fail to beat USA with an enormous margin and keep third on the desk on the idea of NRR.
South Africa’s NRR earlier than their final match is 0.625.
West Indies: More likely to qualify
The ability-hitting, swashbuckling and crowd-favourite hosts will want all of these elements with a view to qualify for the semis. A giant win in opposition to now title favourites South Africa will bolster their NRR, in addition to their possibilities.
Regardless of taking part in the night time recreation, the West Indies might be up early to comply with the England-USA recreation as a USA win might make their job simpler.
If England win, West Indies will want an enormous win over South Africa to qualify. If the defending champions lose, the hosts will merely must keep away from an enormous defeat.
Their NRR of 1.814 has saved their rallying followers’ hopes alive.
ANTIGUA!! 🇦🇬🇦🇬. Come out and let’s RALLYYY!! 💃🏽🕺🏾
West Indies v South Africa🌴🏏🔥
🗓️Sunday June twenty third | 8:30pm!🏟️Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
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— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) June 22, 2024
England: More likely to qualify
The holders must beat USA and beat them properly. Their NRR of 0.412 retains them within the third spot within the group desk, behind leaders South Africa and hosts West Indies.
A loss of their final recreation and a win for West Indies will see England exit.
A win for Jos Buttler’s males and a loss for West Indies will see England undergo. And, a win for each two-time champions will take the battle to NRR, the place West Indies are more likely to maintain an edge.
USA: Mathematical probability
USA’s dream run at their first ICC World Cup is all however over however it’s been a journey to recollect for the co-hosts.
Their stand-in captain Aaron Jones admitted in his pre-match feedback that his facet are all however out of the event, however yet one more win might throw spanner within the works for England and in addition finish their very own run on an inspirational observe. An unlikely large win might supply a glimmer of hope, too, ought to their poor NRR of -2.908 get a lift.
