Zimbabwe suffered a humiliating 107-run defeat in their first Super 8 match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. In the fixture played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Monday (February 23), Zimbabwe were set
a target of 255 runs but were bowled out for just 147 in 17.4 overs. The heavy loss to the Shai Hope-led West Indies pushed Zimbabwe below India in the Super 8 Group 1 points table.
Both India and Zimbabwe have zero points, but India occupy third place due to a superior net run rate.
India’s net run rate, after their defeat to South Africa in Ahmedabad on Sunday (February 22), stands at -3.800. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s 107-run loss to West Indies has dragged their NRR down to -5.350.
Zimbabwe’s crushing defeat to West Indies also spells trouble for Team India. If India lose their second Super 8 match against Sikandar Raza’s men in Chennai on Thursday (February 26), and West Indies defeat South Africa earlier in the day, Suryakumar Yadav’s side will be knocked out of the semifinal race.
Here’s how
South Africa and West Indies both have two points and will face each other in their second Super 8 match on Thursday afternoon in Ahmedabad. If West Indies beat South Africa, they will move to four points. India will not be able to match that tally if they lose to Zimbabwe.
In that scenario, West Indies would have four points from two matches, while South Africa and Zimbabwe would have two points each. Since South Africa and Zimbabwe are scheduled to meet in their third Super 8 match on Sunday (March 1), one of them would then reach four points (or three each in case of a washout). India would not be able to equal that total.
However, if South Africa defeat West Indies and Zimbabwe beat India, the Proteas would climb to four points, while West Indies and Zimbabwe would remain on two points from two matches. In that case, India would still have a chance to qualify for the semifinals. They would need Zimbabwe to lose their final Super 8 match against South Africa in Delhi and then defeat West Indies convincingly at Eden Gardens.
If that happens, India, West Indies, and Zimbabwe would all finish the Super 8 stage with two points each, and the team with the best net run rate among them would secure a semifinal berth.
India winning both their remaining matches won’t guarantee a spot either. For that to happen, they will have to win by convincing margins to better their net run-rate. However, if South Africa end up winning their remaining two matches as well and should India also win against West Indies and Zimbabwe, then the defending champions will advance.
