The Super 8 stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup has well and truly come alive now after Afghanistan shocked the cricketing world by defeating Australia in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The Afghan team, led by captain Rashid Khan, delivered an inspiring performance that has also boosted their hopes of qualifying for the semifinals of the T20 World Cup - a truly monumental feat if they manage it.
It was supposed to be an easy Group 1 from which India and Australia were supposed to canter into the semis. But Afghanistan has had other ideas and now have a chance of ending Australia's World Cup campaign.
So, how can Afghanistan qualify for the semifinals? First, let's take a look at the current points table of Super 8 Group 1.
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Super 8 Group 1 points table
| Team | M | W | L | N/R | Pts. | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +2.017 |
| Australia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -0.331 |
| Afghanistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -0.650 |
| Bangladesh | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -2.489 |
How can Afghanistan qualify for the semifinals?
Afghanistan's final game in the Super 8 is against Bangladesh who have lost both their matches so far. The match is scheduled at the Arnos Vale stadium in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The following are the scenarios in which Afghans can make a historic semifinal progression:
Scenario 1: Afghanistan defeat Bangladesh
If Afghans manage to beat Bangladesh, they will qualify for the semifinals. There are no problems with NRR as Afghans will have 2 more points than Australia in this case.
Scenario 2: Afghanistan lose to Bangladesh
If Afghanistan lose to Bangladesh, Afghanistan will be out of the T20 World Cup as their NRR cannot go above Australia in such a case (both teams will have 2 points each in this case).
Afghanistan have scored 115 against Bangladesh. If B'desh chase this target in 12.1 overs, B'desh will go through to semi and if they chase the target after 12.1 overs, Australia will go through.
Scenario 3: Afghanistan vs Bangladesh is washed out
In such a case, Afghans will have three points. And that will be enough to take them into the semifinals as Group 1 runners-up.
The fixtures are as follows:
- Afghanistan vs Bangladesh: June 25, 6:00 am IST (10:30 am AEST)