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| Can Pakistan still qualify for T20 World Cup 2022 Semi Finals? |
The Group 2 qualifying stakes are starting to take shape after two rounds of games, with India in the lead and Pakistan in serious peril.
However, there is still much at stake as the six sides in Group 2 vie for two spots in the 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup semifinals.
We examine the current situation and describe how Pakistan may yet be able to qualify.
Who has the best chance of making it to the semi-finals?
With a maximum of four points from their first two games, India leads the group and is in a great position to advance to the semifinals.
With a Net Run Rate of +1.425, the team is off to a good start, and it will take a significant improvement for Rohit Sharma's team to avoid finishing in the top two.
With three games remaining, the rain-interrupted draw between South Africa and Zimbabwe leaves both teams just one point behind India, which might have a significant impact on the rankings.
Zimbabwe now has a chance after their incredible victory against Pakistan, but they will probably still need to win at least two, if not all three, of their remaining games.
Due to a remarkable Net RR of +5.200 that was produced by the devastating 104-run victory against Bangladesh on Thursday, South Africa has an advantage over Zimbabwe.
At this point, that is basically worth an extra point.
Can Pakistan still make it to Semi-Finals?
Pakistan has to do something extraordinary to go to the semifinals after suffering two defeats, both of which came on the last ball of games against India and Zimbabwe.
Although it is increasingly doubtful, it is still theoretically conceivable for Pakistan to make it to the last four.
The first challenge for Babar Azam's team is to win each of their last three games, which are against Bangladesh on November 6 and the Netherlands on November 6, South Africa on November 3 and the Netherlands on November 8.
However, Pakistan has no control over it. The most number of points Pakistan can get is six if any two of India, Zimbabwe, or South Africa win two of their remaining three games.
A large margin of victory in at least one of the remaining games wouldn't hurt either because the net run rate might still play a role.