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 will probably be performed on Sunday and Monday.
Every group will get an opportunity to bag one final win. For some, it will likely be sufficient to sail by means of whereas others might want to win after which hope that the opposite match ends in a beneficial outcome.
Al Jazeera breaks down the situation 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 may nonetheless need to 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 web 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 ultimate conquerors Australia is not going to solely wipe away a number of tears but additionally ship India into their second consecutive T20 World Cup semifinal.
India have remained unbeaten within the event and would love nothing greater than to keep up that streak whereas probably knocking out their acquainted foes.
A loss in opposition to Australia will nonetheless hold them forward of the opposite three groups, due to their spectacular NRR of two.425, which is able to doubtless be sufficient to see them by means of.
Australia: Prone to qualify
Australia discover themselves going into their final match in a near-sudden demise situation. A loss in opposition to India within the day recreation in Saint Lucia will dent their semifinal possibilities closely. However the 2021 champions may nonetheless make it by means of if Bangladesh do them a favour and beat Afghanistan within the later Group 1 match on Monday evening in Saint Vincent.
A win in opposition to India should 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 due to their superior NRR of 0.223.
Afghanistan: Prone to qualify
From being thought of so-called minnows up till a number of 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 have to win their final match. If Australia handle to beat India, a win with a wholesome NRR will probably be required for a historic semifinal berth.
By the point Afghanistan play their recreation, they are going to have the precise NRR calculations in hand once they step on the sector in opposition to Bangladesh. An enormous 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 means of.
A loss will ship their NRR of -0.650 spiralling and solely an Australian thrashing by India may give them a glimmer of hope.
This historic victory will probably 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 manner Bangladesh may come degree on factors with Australia and Afghanistan will probably be by beating the latter and hoping that India beat the previous.
Nonetheless, even when all three groups are degree 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 large win over Afghanistan may 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 up to now and are favourites for a semifinal spot however England and West Indies will probably 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 may additionally see them qualify ought to England fail to beat USA with a giant margin and keep third on the desk on the premise of NRR.
South Africa’s NRR earlier than their final match is 0.625.
West Indies: Prone to qualify
The ability-hitting, swashbuckling and crowd-favourite hosts will want all of these components with a purpose to qualify for the semis. An enormous win in opposition to now title favourites South Africa will bolster their NRR, in addition to their possibilities.
Regardless of enjoying the evening recreation, the West Indies will probably be up early to observe the England-USA recreation as a USA win may make their job simpler.
If England win, West Indies will want a giant win over South Africa to qualify. If the defending champions lose, the hosts will merely have to keep away from a giant 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 StadiumGET YOUR TICKETS EARLY!🎟️
Field workplace: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
On-line: https://t.co/zwZWH3Im28#WIREADY | #MenInMaroon | #WIvSA pic.twitter.com/S4hd0gnK6g— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) June 22, 2024
England: Prone to qualify
The holders have to beat USA and beat them effectively. 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 but it surely’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 may throw spanner within the works for England and likewise finish their very own run on an inspirational be aware. An unlikely big win may provide a glimmer of hope, too, ought to their poor NRR of -2.908 get a lift.
