2024 Women's T20 World Cup qualification scenarios: How Australia's 9-wicket win over Pakistan impacts India's semifinal chances
Australia's nine-wicket hammering of Pakistan in match number 14 of the ICC Women's 2024 T20 World Cup has all but confirmed their place in the semifinals of the mega event. The defending champions thumped Pakistan in a Group A clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday, October 11.
Following the victory, the Aussies now have six points from three matches and an extremely healthy net run rate of +2.786. As for Pakistan, the defeat has severely dented their chances of finishing in the top two in Group A. The Asian side has slipped to fourth place in the group, with two points from three matches and a net run rate of -0.488.
With Sri Lanka already eliminated from the semifinal race following three consecutive defeats, either of India and New Zealand could join Australia in the knockout round of the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
How India and New Zealand can qualify for the semifinals of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup
India began their T20 World Cup campaign with a 58-run loss to New Zealand. However, they have recovered well with wins over Pakistan and Sri Lanka. They hammered the latter by 82 runs to significantly boost their net run rate. The Women in Blue now have four points from three games and run rate of +0.576.
Harmanpreet Kaur and co. will face Australia in Sharjah on Sunday, October 13. If they beat the defending champions, the Women in Blue will finish the group stage with six points, as will the Aussies. However, New Zealand, who have two games left in Group A, can also end with six points if they win both matches.
While three teams will be tied on six points in the above scenario, the Kiwis are unlikely to go past Australia on the basis of net run rate. However, they do have a chance to surpass India's net run rate. Team India must thus look to pull off a win by a decent margin against Australia. The Kiwis, though, have an advantage since they will take on Pakistan after the India vs Australia clash.
In case, India go down to Australia in their last Group A match, their semifinal hopes will suffer a major setback. In this scenario, they will need New Zealand to lose at least one of their remaining two matches.
If India lose to Australia and New Zealand beat Sri Lanka, but then go down to Pakistan, India, New Zealand and Pakistan will finish Group A with four points each. The team with the better net run rate among India, New Zealand and Pakistan will then book their place in the semifinals of 2024 T20 World Cup.