What Run Equation Does Pakistan Need to Secure India’s Semi-Final Spot? What’s New Zealand’s Scenario?

New Delhi: The first team to secure a spot in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals has been determined. Following their victory over India on Sunday, Australia has advanced to the next round, making them one of the two teams from Group A to reach the semi-finals. India is now focused on the upcoming match between New Zealand and Pakistan. After India’s loss to Australia, the identity of the second semi-finalist will hinge on this match’s outcome. If Pakistan wins by 53 runs or more, they will also qualify. Conversely, if India wins but by a smaller margin, their chances of advancing could depend on the net run rate.

Australia proudly clinched a semi-final spot with 8 points from 4 victories after defeating India. Although this loss has been a setback for the Indian team, their hopes are still alive. The crucial match between Pakistan and New Zealand will determine their fate. If New Zealand loses, India could progress based on net run rate. However, if New Zealand defeats Pakistan, it will eliminate India’s last chances of moving forward in the tournament. Should Pakistan secure a substantial victory, both India and New Zealand could be knocked out, paving the way for Pakistan to advance to the semi-finals.

India-Pakistan and New Zealand’s Semi-Final Aspirations

Looking at the Group A points table, India has accumulated 4 points from 2 wins after four matches, while New Zealand also has 4 points from 2 wins in 3 games. In contrast, Pakistan has earned 2 points with 1 victory from three matches. If Pakistan defeats New Zealand, they will equal India and New Zealand with 4 points. In such a scenario, the semi-finalist will be determined by net run rate. Currently, if Pakistan wins, India will advance to the semi-finals, but if New Zealand wins, they will move forward with 6 points.

Winning Margin for Pakistan

India and New Zealand are viewed as the primary contenders for the semi-finals, but Pakistan still has a chance to advance. For Pakistan to secure their spot, they must win by 53 runs or more against New Zealand, which would improve their net run rate and eliminate India. Conversely, if Pakistan wins by around 50 runs, India could qualify based on net run rate. Currently, India sits in second place with a net run rate of 0.322, New Zealand is third with a net run rate of 0.282, and Pakistan is in fourth place with a net run rate of -0.488.

Fakhar Zaman Calls Out PCB and Criticizes Kohli While Supporting Babar; Board Responds

New Delhi. Fakhar Zaman has questioned the selection panel of the Pakistan Cricket Board. This Pakistani cricketer has taken on the PCB over excluding Babar Azam from the team. Left-handed batsman Fakhar has given the example of Virat Kohli and said that when this legendary batsman was going through a bad phase, the Indian board supported him and did not drop him from the team. Fakhar has said that excluding Babar will send a wrong message to the team. The PCB is angry with this act of Fakhar, who has scored a double century in ODIs. And it is talking to this player.

Babar Azam has been dropped from the Pakistan team due to poor form. The selectors have not given him a place in the team selected for the upcoming second and third Test matches against England. Fakhar Zaman did not like this decision of the Pak selectors, and he expressed his anger on social media. During this, Fakhar gave the example of Virat Kohli and said that when Kohli is in lousy form, his board is with him.

Fakhar Zaman wrote on X, ‘It is worrying to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India did not leave Virat Kohli out during his difficult phase between 2020 and 2023. His averages during that time were 19.33, 28.21 and 26.50 respectively. If we are considering sidelining our main batsman, who is the best player Pakistan has ever produced, it can send the wrong message to the entire team. There is still time to avoid pressing the panic button. Instead of weakening the key players, we should focus on protecting them.’

As soon as Fakhar Zaman wrote this, the Pakistan Cricket Board became furious. A source in the board said, ‘The top officials of PCB are not happy with Fakhar’s tweet. He is being talked to about this.’ Fakhar says that just like the BCCI did not abandon Virat Kohli, who was going through a bad form for three years, the PCB should deal with Babar Azam in the same way.

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