2024 Women's T20 World Cup qualification scenarios: How can India qualify for semifinals after New Zealand's 8-wicket win over Sri Lanka?
New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in match number 15 of the ICC Women's 2024 T20 World Cup at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday, October 12. Asked to bowl first, the White Ferns restricted the Lankans to 115-5. In the chase, the Kiwis cruised home in 17.3 overs.
Amelia Kerr and Leigh Kasperek starred for New Zealand with the ball, registering figures of 2-13 and 2-27 respectively. In their chase, opener Georgia Plimmer top-scored with 53 off 44, while Kerr rounded off a good all-round match with an unbeaten 34 off 31. Skipper Sophie Devine (13* off 8) put the finishing touches on the innings as New Zealand got home with 15 balls to spare.
Looking at the Group A points table after match number 15 of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, New Zealand are in third place with four points and a net run rate of +0.282, while India are second with four points and a run rate of +0.576.
India, New Zealand likely to battle it out for semifinal spot in 2024 Women's T20 World Cup
Australia haven't yet qualified for the semifinals of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup. However, with six points and an excellent net run rate of +2.786, the defending champions have all but sealed their place in the knockouts. As such, Team India and New Zealand are likely to fight it out for the second semis spot.
The Women in Blue take on Australia in their fourth and final group match in Sharjah on Sunday, October 13. Harmanpreet Kaur and co. will be end the group stage with six points if they manage to get the better of the Aussies on Sunday. However, New Zealand can also finish on six points if they beat Pakistan in their last Group A clash in Dubai.
In the above scenario, Australia, India and New Zealand will all be tied on six points each. However, Australia should qualify as table-toppers on the basis of their net run rate, with one of India or the Kiwis joining them in the semis of the T20 World Cup, depending on the net run rate. New Zealand have a slight advantage since they will play Pakistan a day after the India-Australia match.
In the event of India losing to Australia, they will stay on four points. The Women in Blue will then have to hope that Pakistan get the better of New Zealand. In such a scenario, India, Pakistan and New Zealand will all end Group A with four points each. The team with the better net run rate among the three will qualify for the semi-finals of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup.