India tasted its first victory in T20 World Cup on Wednesday against Afghanistan. The Men in Blue gave a surprising comeback after losing consecutively against Pakistan and New Zealand in Group 2.
The run-rate(NRR) went from -1.609 to positive zone, +0.073 with its win by 66 runs. Pakistan ranks the highest on the points table, India has to compete against Afghanistan and New Zealand for second place.
The feasible situations where India stands a chance to go in for semifinals
India has to win against Namibia and Scotland by huge margins and hope for Afghanistan’s win against New Zealand.
India has a narrow chance to qualify for the semifinals. If New Zealand defeats Afghanistan by a wide margin and in the rarest of scenarios if Namibia or Scotland decide to call off their game against the kiwis.
In the second case, if Afghanistan beats New Zealand, all three teams will have six points and then the NRR will decide the second semifinalist.
India’s remaining group stage matches
India vs Scotland on November 5 in Dubai
India vs Namibia on November 8 in Dubai
New Zealand’s remaining group stage matches
New Zealand vs Namibia on November 5 in Sharjah
New Zealand vs Afghanistan on November 7 in Abu Dhabi
Afghanistan’s remaining group stage matches
Afghanistan vs New Zealand on November 7 in Abu Dhabi
| POSITION | TEAM | PLAYED | WON | LOST | NET RR | POINTS |
| 1 | Pakistan | 4 | 4 | 0 | +1.065 | 8 |
| 2 | Afghanistan | 4 | 2 | 2 | +1.481 | 4 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 3 | 2 | 1 | +0.816 | 4 |
| 4 | India | 3 | 1 | 2 | +0.073 | 2 |
| 5 | Namibia | 3 | 1 | 2 | -1.600 | 2 |
| 6 | Scotland | 3 | 0 | 3 | -2.645 | 0 |
If Afghanistan defeats New Zealand they will make it to the semifinals, if they lose they will be dismissed. They have to win by a certain margin which will favour India’s win against Namibia the next day.
Kiwis can seal their spot in the semifinals if they win the last two games and score eight points.
India has an added advantage of playing the last game against Namibia (Group 2) so they will know what exactly to do!
