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T20 WORLD CUP STATE OF PLAY: Second round taking shape

cricket13 June 2024 07:46| © ICC
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Four teams have ensured progression to the next stage of the World Cup, leaving the rest fighting for the remaining four spots.

The ICC Men’s T20I World Cup has delivered in so many ways already.

The tournament has unearthed rising stars, seen big guns perform, delivered blockbuster matches, produced Super Overs, and concocted wild upsets.

So as we near the final phase of Group stage action, let’s take stock and assess where every team is, who has progressed, and who else looks likely.

Confirmed Qualifiers

Four teams have now secured qualification to the next stage - one team from each group:

India

Australia

South Africa

West Indies

Australia and India have both been slotted into Group 1 of the second round, confirming the rivals will not meet in the final, but earlier.

South Africa and West Indies have filled two of the four spots in Group 2.

While we all know anything can happen, the other teams favoured to get through the group stage are USA (Group A), Scotland (Group B), Afghanistan (Group C) and either Bangladesh or the Netherlands in Group D.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup State of Play

Let’s run through each group and determine which teams are on the path to the second round already, plus assess which teams still have plenty of work to do.

Group A

Teams: India (Q), United States, Pakistan, Canada, Ireland

INDIA (6 points | 1.137 NRR)

Qualified | Three wins from three games means India are through to the Super 8 stage at a relative canter. Progression to the second round didn’t come easy for Rohit Sharma’s side, who were made to work hard by both Pakistan and USA in low-scoring thrillers in New York. But the world’s top-ranked T20I side can now look ahead to different sorts of challenges to come as the tournament progresses.

UNITED STATES (4 points | 0.127 NRR)

What a story the USA has been so far. An opening win over Canada and that stunning victory against Pakistan means that the co-hosts are still in with a chance of a surprise qualification for the Super 8 stage. They pushed India close in match three, but now focus turns to Friday’s clash with Ireland in Florida that looms as a crucial blockbuster for both hopefuls.

PAKISTAN (2 points | 0.191 NRR)

For every nail-biter and underdog winner, there’s a loser who faces the consequences – and that was Pakistan’s reality at the start of the tournament. With two losses to start their campaign, the Asian powerhouse hit back with a win over Canada on Tuesday, but now they must also beat Ireland and hope the USA slips up.

CANADA (2 points | –0.493 NRR)

The Canadians fought back from a loss to USA in the tournament opener by securing a 12-run win over Ireland. But Tuesday’s loss to Pakistan means Canada need something truly special to reach the second stage now – a win over India and by a big margin to boost their net run rate.

IRELAND (0 points | –1.712 NRR)

It’s almost curtains for Ireland, who must beat USA and Pakistan, plus hope that other results go their way.

Group B

Teams: Australia, Scotland, Namibia, England, Oman

AUSTRALIA (6 points | 3.580 NRR)

Qualified | The Aussies are through and looking strong, highlighted by their huge win over the English and then a dominant display against Namibia. Another victory against Scotland ensures they'll top Group B.

SCOTLAND (5 points | 2.164 NRR)

While the all-UK showdown in Barbados was a No Result, the Scots find themselves in a comfortable spot Group B, still unbeaten. It’s possible they’ve already done enough to make the next round, but a win over Australia on June 15 would confirm it. There’s a chance England can play catch up if they beat both Oman and Namibia and correct their net run rate in the process.

NAMIBIA (2 points | –2.098 NRR)

Eliminated | Following the heavy defeat to Australia, Namibia is now eliminated. The best they can do is finish on four points, which would still leave them below Australia and Scotland.

ENGLAND (1 point | –1.800 NRR)

Stranded in fourth, with just the one point so far, England are firmly up against it in Group B. They’ll need to win out, against Oman and Namibia, as the minimum requirement, and then pray that other results land a certain way. England also needs to resurrect their –1.800 net run rate and hope nemesis Australia takes care of Scotland for them.

OMAN (0 points | –1.613 NRR)

Eliminated | Oman cannot make it to the next stage, having already lost three matches. They have, however, played some impressive cricket, which included giving Australia a fight, and should be buoyed by their efforts moving forward.

Group C

Teams: West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand

WEST INDIES (6 points | 2.596 NRR)

Qualified | It’s been a strong display by the West Indies so far, moving to three from three after beating New Zealand and securing a spot in the next stage. Afghanistan are still doing battle with the Windies for top spot in the Group, while no team is yet to be officially eliminated.

AFGHANISTAN (4 points | 5.225 NRR)

The Afghans made a huge statement against New Zealand, announcing themselves as genuine tournament contenders. They're two from two with a net run rate that dwarves every other side in their group. Afghanistan has a foot in the door to the next stage, but a win over either PNG or hosts the West Indies locks it in.

UGANDA (2 points | –4.217 NRR)

Uganda have collected their first-ever T20 World Cup win already, making it a successful campaign. At one win from three matches, their chances of moving forward are slim – they’d need to beat New Zealand by plenty and hope everything else falls into place to have a chance.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA (0 points | –0.434 NRR)

After losing their pivotal match with Uganda, PNG’s most likely not getting out of the Group stage. They have Afghanistan and New Zealand to come, looking to play an interfering role and learn some lessons in the process. They would need to beat both teams convincingly to even have a chance.

NEW ZEALAND (0 points | –2.425 NRR)

There's a little bit of 'trick photography' at play with the Kiwis, looking at the Group C standings. They're the only remaining team that's played just once, at the time of this story being updated. The heavy loss to Afghanistan could prove costly, unless they can run the table and go three-from-three against the West Indies, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea, which is certainly not out of the question. New Zealand’s blockbuster with the Windies is now central to how things end up shaking out in the group.

Group D

Teams: South Africa, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Nepal, Sri Lanka

SOUTH AFRICA (6 points | 0.603 NRR)

Qualified | The Proteas have qualified. They picked up the all-important scalp of Sri Lanka to hit the ground running, before taking care of the Netherlands in a close encounter. The brilliance of their bowling attack helped secure another victory in another tight finish against Bangladesh. Qualification became confirmed when Sri Lanka and Nepal's match was abandoned.

BANGLADESH (2 points | 0.075 NRR)

The Tigers began Group D with a close win over Sri Lanka. They missed a golden opportunity in the thriller against South Africa in New York, but are still in a decent position to qualify. Bangladesh will play qualification rivals Netherlands in their next match, which looks utterly crucial. Even still, just a win over Nepal in their final game might be enough to seal a spot on NRR, pending what happens between the Dutch and Sri Lanka in Group D's final match.

NETHERLANDS (2 points | 0.024 NRR)

At one from two, the Dutch certainly need to beat Bangladesh and then most likely Sri Lanka as well. It’ll be tricky, but there is certainly still a path to the next round for the Netherlands.

NEPAL (1 point | –0.539 NRR)

Their loss to the Netherlands made life tough and the no result with Sri Lanka further narrows the progression path. The way it appears to be shaking up in Group D, Nepal most likely needs to win both remaining games.

SRI LANKA (1 point | –0.777 NRR)

Sri Lanka is all but out after their match with Nepal in Florida was abandoned. The best they can finish on is three points, by beating the Netherlands - and by plenty - but their chances also rest on the Bangladesh–Netherlands clash on June 13 being a washout. Not impossible, but almost.

World Cup action continues in Saint Vincent with Bangladesh and the Netherlands doing battle in a must-win – the action commences at 10:30am local time.

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