ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Who will qualify for semis from Group 2?

Who will qualify for semifinal from Group 2

Group 2 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 has taken a sharp turn after a big upset when Zimbabwe defeated Pakistan on Thursday. Here we have discussed Who will qualify for semifinal from Group 2?

Pakistan, who is considered as one of the favourites to win the title currently standing on the verge of getting out of the tournament.

India, on the other hand, after a claiming a comprehensive win over Netherlands further strengthen their chances for the semis, and so did the South Africa.

Here, Let us look at the teams Who will qualify for semifinal from Group 2:

Netherlands

Currently at bottom of the table after losing 2 out 2 games, one against Bangladesh and the other one against mighty India. However, they were quite satisfied with their performance so far in the tournament, having made their position in the Super 12 phase was a big achievement for the 17^th ranked team in the world.

And especially their bowlers performance against India was also clap worthy. In a game where India decided to bat first. Their bowlers restricted the men in blue to cross even the 180-mark even though Virat Kohli and Suryakumar returned to the pavilion with not tags after playing 8 overs together, and Kohli was there for almost 17.2 overs.

They, however, having next to none chances to qualify for the semis but their performance so far is quite good for the Dutch cricket.

Pakistan

The Babar Azam-led side after facing a defeat from arch-rival India in a nail-biting match, faced a shocker on Thursday when Zimbabwe edged them by a single run that put their chances for semis in a nutshell.

The shocking defeat in a low-scoring game shuttered their confidence too, now the only chance they have to win in all of their remaining games against Netherlands, South Africa and Bangladesh.

Not only that, they have to win all the games with a big margin to maintain a good run-rate on table.

With India almost ready to go for the knockouts, the men in green have to pray that India beat the South too that may keep them in semis contention.

Wait, the list to rely on other teams is long, as they have to pray that Zimbabwe must lose 2 out of their remaining three games. While Bangladesh lose another one.

Bangladesh

Currently at no.4 position at the points table, the Tigers yet to face India and Pakistan in their upcoming fixtures. They, however have won 1 game and lost 1 too. But, after losing by 104 runs to South Africa, there net run-rate faced a dent. Their run-rate is the worse in the group so far. And if they want to qualify them just not to win all of their remaining games but with better margins too.

But, as said, they yet to face India and Pakistan.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe shocked the whole cricket community after defeating the currently top-ranked batter in T20Is side, Pakistan. In a nail-biting clash where the Ervine’s Zimbabwe only managed to put 130 on board.

When everyone almost everyone predicted that the men in green will chase the target with ease. The Zimbabwe changed the whole scenario with their brilliance and handed their side a victory over Pakistan.

For many, who won’t believe, Zimbabwe is currently at the no.3 position at the points table with 1 win in 2 games, while the other one was called off due to rain.

If they win all of their remaining matches, then you never know, Zimbabwe may qualify. They, however, yet to face the strongest team in the group India, though.

South Africa

Temba Bavuma’s South Africa were in deep dilemma when they got placed in a group alongside India and Pakistan in the Super 12 phase.

With many cricket pundits predicted that India and Pakistan will be the possible contenders to advance for the semis, the Proteas silently make their way to the top-2, not to mention Pakistan’s support in it.

As if they won’t lose their first two games, the Proteas would have been struggling as of now. But, now the scenario is bit different as even after a rain-washed first game, South Africa defeated Bangladesh with a huge margin in their second and with 3 points in 2 games they will likely to qualify if the win all of their remaining matches. Although they have to pray to rain gods for no more interruptions though.

They will reach to 9 if they win all, and with that means they will have to defeat India too, which is a tough task. If they lose to India they can earn maximum 7 points, and then they have to rely on Zimbabwe, who may reach to 9 after winning all of their upcoming games, also a hard task. So, as of now, the Temba Bavuma-side is most likely to qualify from Group 2.

India

India is no worry right now, as King Kohli is in form, I think enough said. Hahah. Everyone knows when Kohli performs than there will be no room for opponent to shine. The former Indian skipper returned to pavilion with 2 unbeaten tags in both of India’s games in the World Cup so far.

The run-machine, played a match-winning 82 off 53 in the opening match of India against Pakistan. It was Kohli, who took the responsibility of chasing the target on his shoulder after India lost 4 wickets on 31 in a 160-run chase game and led the side to victory in a dramatic final over finish. He again remained unbeaten in men in blues second game in the competition and struck a brilliant half-century too.

The Rohit Sharma-led India is currently on top of the table, and with net run-rate is on their side too, they have the better chances among all to qualify for the semis.

They have to face South Africa, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in their remaining Super 12 games, and they will start all the games as favourite and even if they lose one of them, the inaugural world cup winning team may still qualify. The only thing they wanted in that scenario that either to beat South Africa and Zimbabwe in their remaining games.