Why today's Australia vs Pakistan match is important for India to qualify for the semi-final
The Group 2 in the ongoing ICC World T20 in India is witnessing a three-way stand-off now, with Pakistan, Australia and India having nearly equal chances of qualifying for the second semi-final slot from the Super 10 stage.
Also read: Australia vs Pakistan Head to Head in T20Is, match records and facts
The fates of the other two teams in the group have been already decided. New Zealand have won three consecutive matches and have already qualified for the semi-finals while Bangladesh have lost three consecutive matches and have already been eliminated.
Pakistan have lost both the matches they have played against India and New Zealand. However, their net run rate is better than Australia who have won one of their two matches. Australia have defeated Bangladesh and lost to group leaders New Zealand.
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The importance of today’s Australia vs Pakistan match
Today, Australia are taking on Pakistan in Mohali which is a very important match for all the three teams who are fighting for the second semi-final spot from the group. If Australia beat Pakistan today, then it will be a virtual quarter-final match between India and Australia.
If Pakistan beat Australia, it will be a contest between India, Pakistan and Australia where the net run rate will become the deciding factor. Pakistan already have a superior net run rate of +0.254 than both Australia and India. India have the lowest run rate of -0.546 among the three.
Australia’s current net run rate is +0.108 which is better than India's, and a win for them today will mean India will have to win against them in Mohali on 27 March.
Basically, it comes down to this: if Pakistan win today, India can go through even if they lose against Australia, provided that by some miracle they get their net run rate higher than both Pakistan's and Australia's. Another way India can qualify is if their match against Australia is washed out. But if Australia win today, India would have no option but to win their last match if they want to have any hope of qualifying for the semis.
ICC World T20 Super 10 Group 2 Teams | Matches Played | Matches Won | Matches Lost | Net Run Rate | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 3 | 3 | 0 | +1.283 | 6 |
| India | 3 | 2 | 1 | -0.546 | 4 |
| Pakistan | 3 | 1 | 2 | +0.254 | 2 |
| Australia | 2 | 1 | 1 | +0.108 | 2 |
| Bangladesh | 3 | 0 | 3 | -1.165 | 0 |