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Afghanistan (Source-ICC)
It is set to be an exciting and pulsating end to the Super-8 stages of the T20 World Cup 2024, with four teams battling it out for a place in the semi-finals. From the first group, India have nearly checked themselves into the semi-finals with a win over Bangladesh. Meanwhile, South Africa remain a strong contender in the second group after winning their first two matches.
There was a massive reversal of fortunes in the second game of Group 1 on Saturday. Afghanistan turned the equations around with a huge 21-run win over Australia in St. Vincent to spark new life into their semi-final hopes.
Australia were bowled out for 127 runs in the final over of the innings to signal their loss. With this, Australia, with two points from two games, has dropped to the second position in the points table.
How Australia and Afghanistan can make it to the Semi-Finals?
Despite the loss to Afghanistan, the Australians are second in the table with a positive net run rate (NRR) of +0.223. For the Aussies to make it to the semi-finals, the equation is simple. They just have to beat India in their game on Monday afternoon.
That result will not only better their run rate but also put pressure on Afghanistan, who play Bangladesh in the evening game. In the case of an Australian win, the Afghans will have to win by a huge margin to better their NRR.
Rashid Khan and his side will hope that India can aid them by beating Australia by a huge margin. In that case, the Aussies will see their run-rate slip down and the task for Afghanistan will get a bit easier.
In case both the games are spoiled by rain on Monday, each team will share a point. In that scenario, the Aussies will make it to the semi-finals due to their higher run rate. If the India vs Australia game is washed out, the Aussies will want Bangladesh to win. And in case Afghanistan vs Bangladesh getting abandoned, an Indian win in the earlier game will prove beneficial for the Afghans.
England and West Indies are also in the same scenario as far as the qualification is concerned. The English team have to beat the USA and hope South Africa beat the West Indians. The hosts, on the other hand, will hope the USA can stun the English and they themselves beat South Africa and make it to the final four.