T20 World Cup 2022: Pakistan cricket team is in some trouble in T20 World Cup 2022. The 2009 T20 world champions lost in their opening match of the Super 12 against India and suffered another defeat against Zimbabwe in their second match. with no points in the first two matches for Babar Azmiled team, their World Cup dreams are on the verge of being out. However, mathematically they can still qualify for the semi-finals.
Pakistan’s tough road to the semi-finals
The Pakistan team, which has been placed in Group 2, now has three matches to play – one each against South Africa, Bangladesh and the Netherlands. If the boys on the green are to stand a chance of qualifying in the Final Four, they need to win all their remaining competitions and hopefully have other results coming their way.
Even if Babar Azam and his soldiers manage to win all their remaining battles, it is not certain that they will advance. Pakistan can score a maximum of 6 points (2 each for the win). All the teams in Group 2 have played 2-2 matches and after two matches India are on 4 points, while South Africa and Zimbabwe are on 3. Bangladesh are on 2 points, while Netherlands are yet to open their account.
What other consequences should come for Pakistan?
India will play against South Africa, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, while the Proteas will play against India, Pakistan and the Netherlands. Since only two teams from each group qualify for the semi-finals, the Pakistan team would hope that not more than one team gets more than 6 points as it would put them out of contention. If India beats South Africa and Pakistan also beats Proteas, South Africa will end up with a maximum of 5 points.
Zimbabwe has three matches, one each against India, Bangladesh and the Netherlands. Pakistan will hope that Zimbabwe will not win more than one match and should not exceed 6 points.
Bangladesh is also in the mix and has matches against India, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Pakistan will have to beat them and hopefully Bangladesh should also get nothing more than 6 points.
If South Africa ends on 5 points and these teams get a maximum of 6 points with Pakistan winning their three matches, the semi-final berth will depend on the net run rate. But if not more than one team gets 6 points or more and Pakistan gets 6 points, they will cruise without net run rate calculation. Also, if rain plays poorly in any of Pakistan’s matches, they will be very disappointed.
Can India still fail to make it?
It is unlikely that the men in blue will face elimination as they have 4 points from 2 matches, but we have seen anything happen on the cricket field. If India wins two out of their three matches, they are most likely to go into the last four and if they win all three, they will definitely make it to the table. If they win one or don’t win any match then their place will be in doubt.