T20 World Cup 2022 – T20 WC Semifinal RACE: After two rounds of matches, the qualification stakes in both Groups…..
Australia’s fixture in Melbourne was spoiled due to rain, with its T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 match against England abandoned on Friday, 28 Oct 2022. Earlier, Afghanistan encountered a washout for the second time in three days, with its T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 match against Ireland also being called off. In addition, Afghanistan’s match against the Kiwis (New Zealand) was also washed out without a ball being bowled.
Melbourne is the most rain-affected venue
It was the second consecutive rain-affected fixture for Ireland too. However, enough overs were bowled in its game to force a result against England on Wednesday in Melbourne.
Out of the five matches so far scheduled to be played in Melbourne, only India v Pakistan has gone ahead as planned. Two more matches are planned for Melbourne: the final game in Group Two between India and Zimbabwe on 6 November, and the final itself a week later.
T20 World Cup 2022 Qualification Scenario for England and Australia
England would be the happier of the two teams with the points shared because Australia is the side that needs to make up ground. England leads Australia on net run rate 0.239 to -1.555, so a point apiece keeps its nose in front. New Zealand stays on top with 3 points, thanks to a superior net run rate. It is followed by England (3 points), Ireland (3 points), Australia (3 points), Sri Lanka (2 points), and Afghanistan (2 points).
Scenarios for other teams in Group1
England’s remaining fixtures – New Zealand and Sri Lanka – are tougher on paper than Australia’s – Ireland and Afghanistan – so Friday’s rain-affected fixture against Australia means a chance of making a decisive move up the table has now gone begging. That said, two big wins in its final two matches, first against the Kiwis (New Zealand) and then Sri Lanka, should be enough to send England through.
READ | T20 World Cup Group 1 Points Table
The makeup of Group 1 will be clearer after New Zealand’s fixture against Sri Lanka on Saturday. New Zealand’s 89-run win over Australia coupled with its point from the rained-out Afghanistan fixture, and a superior NRR, means another win would put it in control of the group.
Remaining Group 1 Fixtures
| When | Fixture | Where |
| Saturday 29 October | New Zealand v Sri Lanka | SCG, Sydney |
| Monday 31 October | Australia v Ireland | The Gabba, Brisbane |
| Tuesday 01 November | Afghanistan v Sri Lanka | The Gabba, Brisbane |
| Tuesday 01 November | England v New Zealand | The Gabba, Brisbane |
| Friday 04 November | Ireland v New Zealand | Adelaide Oval |
| Friday 04 November | Australia v Afghanistan | Adelaide Oval |
| Saturday 05 November | Sri Lanka v England | SCG, Sydney |
Semifinals race for Group 2
In Group 2, India, South Africa, and Zimbabwe are in line to qualify for Semifinal, Pakistan is on the brink, check the latest permutations after the fixture between Pakistan vs Zimbabwe on Thursday, 27 Oct 2022.
After two rounds of matches, the qualification stakes in Group 2 are beginning to take shape. India is in the lead position currently followed by South Africa. Zimbabwe has come out as an improbability to qualify for Semifinals. As of now, Pakistan is in huge trouble. But it’s still all to play for as the six teams of Group 2 compete for a pair of places in the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. We take a look at the state of play as things stand, and explain how Pakistan and other remaining teams could still qualify for the semifinals.
Who’s in the driving seat to reach the semi-finals?
India is top of the group with a maximum of four points from their opening two games and is in a prime position to qualify for the semi-finals. A Net Run Rate of +1.425 is a strong start too, and it will take some turnaround for Rohit Sharma’s side to be prevented from a top-two spot.
The rain-interrupted no result between South Africa and Zimbabwe have both teams just a point behind India with three games to play, and that could make all the difference come to the final standings.
Zimbabwe’s stunning win over Pakistan has given them a chance, but they will likely still need to win at least two and maybe all three of their remaining fixtures.
South Africa has the edge over Zimbabwe thanks to a phenomenal Net RR of +5.200, created by the crushing 104-run win over Bangladesh on Thursday. That in itself is effectively worth an extra point at this stage.
Can Pakistan still make it?
Pakistan, who were beaten by arch-rivals India in their opening match, now find their tournament hopes in tatters after failing to reach a modest target of 131 against Zimbabwe at Perth Stadium.
Zimbabwe’s win has now made Pakistan’s equation in Group 2 to qualify for the semi-final an interesting one.
The first task for Babar Azam’s side is to win all three of their remaining matches, starting with the Netherlands on Sunday, then South Africa on Thursday, 3 November, and finally against Bangladesh on Sunday, 6 November.
Secondly, the men in green must win all three matches by a big margin to maintain a healthy net run rate.
Thirdly, they must hope that other results go their way- including South Africa losing to India and Pakistan.
Zimbabwe lost their remaining two matches out of three (versus India, Netherlands, and Bangladesh)
Further, they must hope that Bangladesh loses another game.
READ | T20 World Cup Group 2 Points Table
Remaining Group 2 Fixtures
| When | Fixture | Where |
| Sunday 30 October | Bangladesh v Zimbabwe | The Gabba, Brisbane |
| Sunday 30 October | Netherlands v Pakistan | Perth Stadium |
| Sunday 30 October | India v South Africa | Perth Stadium |
| Wednesday 02 November | Zimbabwe v Netherlands | Adelaide Oval |
| Wednesday 02 November | India v Bangladesh | Adelaide Oval |
| Thursday 03 November | Pakistan v South Africa | SCG, Sydney |
| Sunday 06 November | South Africa v Netherlands | Adelaide Oval |
| Sunday 06 November | Pakistan v Bangladesh | Adelaide Oval |
| Sunday 06 November | Zimbabwe v India | MCG, Melbourne |
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