How does India’s win against the US impact Pakistan's Super 8 chances in 2024 T20 World Cup?
Team India stuttered to a seven-wicket win in the 19th over against the USA in New York on June 12. The victory paved the way for India to be the first team from Group A to qualify for the Super 8 with three wins in as many games.
Meanwhile, the USA remained second in the standings with two wins in three outings. However, the question on most fans' minds was how the result of the India-USA clash impacted Pakistan's Super Eight qualification chances.
The first good news for the Men in Green is that their net run rate is already higher than the USA despite being on only two points compared to the USA's four after three games each. Both teams play Ireland in their respective final outing of the group stage.
Pakistan must win that contest and hope for the USA to lose to Ireland to qualify as the second team in the Super Eight. If either result goes against Pakistan, they will be eliminated from the tournament.
The USA-Ireland clash takes place in Florida on Friday, June 14 and all the Pakistan fans will be rooting for the Irish to pull off a victory and keep their hopes alive.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will face off against Ireland two days later at the same venue on Sunday, June 16.
What happens if Pakistan's final group-stage game is washed out?
Unfortunately for Pakistan, their fortunes may also depend on weather gods, given the forecast in Florida. The first game of the 2024 T20 World Cup at the venue between Sri Lanka and Nepal was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Both the Pakistan-Ireland and USA-Ireland games are set to be played in Florida and should either of those suffer from a washout, the Men in Green will be sent packing from the tournament.
Even if the USA loses to Ireland, Pakistan's final group stage outing against the Irish having points shared will see the 2009 champions eliminated.
Babar Azam's Men are in such a precarious position thanks to their shocking defeat in the opener to the USA. They followed that setback with another heartbreaking loss to India before winning the first game of their campaign against Canada.