T20 World Cup 2024 Group 1 Semifinal Qualification Scenario: How IND, AUS, AFG & BAN Can Qualify For Semi-Finals

Here's how India, Australia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh can qualify for the T20 World Cup 2024 Semi-Finals.

T20 WC Group 1 Semifinal Qualification Scenario: How IND, AUS, AFG & BAN Can Qualify For Semis

Source : PTI

Afghanistan (AFG) registered a remarkable victory against mighty Australia (AUS) in the Group 1 Super 8s encounter of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 and with this victory, all possible outcomes are left open. Earlier, India climbed to the top of Group 1 points table after their 50-run victory over Bangladesh. Australia had the chance to topple India from the first position and also potentially secure a place in the semi-finals but their loss to Afghanistan has put their hopes in jeopardy.

Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first on a pitch where teams bowling first had lost three times in the tournament. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran had a slow start but soon accelerated, putting together a 118-run partnership, setting Afghanistan up for a big total. However, Gurbaz's wicket triggered a dramatic collapse, with Afghanistan falling from 118 for 1 to 148 for 6, as Pat Cummins took a historic hat-trick in the second consecutive match. 

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Australia's run chase started poorly, with Travis Head dismissed for a duck and Mitchell Marsh continuing his poor form. Glenn Maxwell tried to keep Australia in the game with a solid 59, but wickets fell regularly at the other end, with Gulbadin Naib taking 4 wickets for 20 runs. Australia ultimately finished at 127, giving Afghanistan another significant win in the tournament.

Group 1 Remaining Fixtures

-24 June: Australia vs India, Gros Islet, St Lucia (8 PM IST)
-25 June: Afghanistan vs Bangladesh, Arnos Vale, St Vincent (6 AM IST)

How Can India Qualify For T20 World Cup 2024 Semi-Finals?

India's path to the semi-finals is straightforward: they need to beat Australia to secure their spot. Even a loss wouldn't necessarily eliminate them, provided it's not by a large margin. With a net run-rate (NRR) of 2.43, a heavy loss could still knock them out if Australia and Afghanistan surpass them on net run-rate.

How Can Australia Qualify For T20 World Cup 2024 Semi-Finals?

Australia is in a tough spot after their loss to Afghanistan. They must beat India on June 24 in St. Lucia and hope Bangladesh defeat Afghanistan. Even if they lose to India, they will need to make sure that their margin of loss is not too big and they will still need Bangladesh's help to stay in contention. Australia's current net run-rate (NRR) is 0.223.

How Can Afghanistan Qualify For T20 World Cup 2024 Semi-Finals?

Afghanistan have exceeded expectations in this tournament, having already eliminated New Zealand. To advance to the semi-finals, they need to beat Bangladesh and hope India defeat Australia. If they lose to Bangladesh, Afghanistan will need India to defeat Australia by a large margin so that Australia’s NRR is lower than that of Afghanistan’s. If Australia win, Afghanistan must beat Bangladesh by a significant margin and hope India lose to Australia by a close margin.

How Can Bangladesh Qualify For T20 World Cup 2024 Semi-Finals?

Bangladesh need a miracle to qualify with their -2.4 net run-rate. They must beat Afghanistan by a huge margin and hope India convincingly defeat Australia in the other fixture to keep their semi-final hopes alive.