India To Cheer For Pakistan? How The Women In Blue's Fate In T20 World Cup Lies In The Hands Of Arch-Rivals

India will be cheering for Pakistan as they need them to upset New Zealand in order to proceed to the next round of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024.

India's fate in ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 lies in Pakistan's hands.

Source : X/@BCCIWomen

India succumbed to a defeat to Australia in the group-stage fixture of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024. The result has put India on the verge of elimination. It could be Team India's earliest exit from the tournament in eight years, having last been knocked out of a Women's T20 World Cup before qualifying for the semis in 2016. 

However, there is still a glimmer of hope that the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Women in Blue can proceed to the semifinals. In case, Pakistan upset New Zealand, India and Australia will qualify from Group A. That means all Indian fans would be cheering for their arch-rivals Pakistan. It is not a straightforward equation though as a mere win for Pakistan won't be enough for India to secure qualification.

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For India to proceed to the semifinal, Pakistan will have to beat the White Ferns by 53 runs or more if they bat first or chase down the total with 9.1 overs remaining. Fair to say, it would be a stern task for Pakistan especially against a side who has looked in great form this tournament. However, that wouldn't stop the Indian fans from hoping that Pakistan could do them a favour.

Australia Storm Into The Semis Of ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024

Meanwhile, defending champions Australia have sealed a place for themselves in the semifinals by remaining undefeated in the group stage.

The Indians kept themselves in the contest after restricting Australia to 151/8 and then having a set batter right till the end but left themselves a bit too much to do with 14 needing off 6 balls. Eventually, despite Harmapreet Kaur remaining unbeaten on 54 off 47, India went on to lose the match by 9 runs.