New Zealand lose to West Indies, but can Black Caps still reach Super 8 at T20 World Cup? Yes, with lot of help

Mathematically, New Zealand are still not out of the contention for securing a spot in the Super 8 stage where only two teams from each group will progress. In Group C, co-hosts West Indies have already secured the top spot with three wins in three games.

How New Zealand can still qualify for the Super 8

New Zealand now need several things to go in their favour if they are to stand a chance to qualify.

New Zealand will have to pray that somehow Afghanistan — who are currently claiming the second spot in the Group C standings thanks to two wins from two games, including over New Zealand, and a net run rate of 5.225 — lose their remaining two games. This is the tricky part because the high-flying Afghan team meets Papua New Guinea in one of those two games. If they somehow lose that, New Zealand will still have a shot. But if Afghanistan win that game tomorrow morning, it’s game over for New Zealand. Even if that game gets rained out, New Zealand are out. Afghanistan also play a match against West Indies, which might be a tough contest favouring the hosts for the moment.

Now coming to New Zealand’s own games, they will have to win their two remaining matches — against Uganda and PNG — by heavy margins. The margins they need to win by will depend on how bad Afghanistan’s losses are in their two games (if they lose that is).