Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, right, with teammate Saim Ayub during training. (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: New Zealand knocked co-hosts Sri Lanka out of the T20 World Cup with a comprehensive 61-run victory in Colombo on Wednesday, but the result also kept Pakistan in contention for a dramatic semi-final berth. With England already out, the battle for the final spot from Group 2 of the Super Eights will now be decided in the final two matches.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!Chasing 169, Sri Lanka needed a convincing win to stay alive but faltered badly, climbing to 107/8 and exiting the tournament with one game remaining. The heavy defeat ended their campaign and confirmed a fifth failure to reach the semi-finals since their title in 2014. The win also greatly boosted New Zealand, whose net run rate jumped to a healthy +3.050 to take pole position and qualify alongside England.
T20 World Cup: Shaheen Shah Afridi Press Conference after England vs Pakistan
However, Pakistan’s hopes hinge on the outcome of England’s match against New Zealand in Colombo on Friday. If New Zealand beat England, they will finish on five points and qualify directly, making Pakistan’s Super Eights final clash against Sri Lanka irrelevant.Pakistan’s opportunity will only open if England beat New Zealand. In this scenario, England top the group with six points, New Zealand remain on three and Pakistan have a chance of a draw if they beat Sri Lanka in their final game in Kandy.If Pakistan wins and both teams finish with three points, the qualifiers will be decided on clean run. Current projections underline the scale of the task facing Pakistan.
T20 World Cup Super 8s Group 2 Points Table
PWLNRPointsNRREEngland (Q)22004+1.491New Zealand21013+3.050Pakistan20111-0.461Sri Lanka (E)20200-2.800For example, if England beat New Zealand by 50 runs, Pakistan would have to beat Sri Lanka by around 20 runs to have a clear lead, assuming the first innings score is around 170.If Pakistan chase instead, the equation becomes more difficult. They would need to complete the chase in around 17.5 overs to beat New Zealand’s net rate. Any slower win could still leave them behind the Blackcaps.England’s dominance in the Super Eights simplified the group standings, but Sri Lanka’s exit ensured that the final semi-finalists would be decided in a thrilling finish. Pakistan now need not just a win, but a big win – and hope England do them a favor – to keep their World Cup dream alive.
