T20 WC, S/F Qualification Scenarios: IND Assured Semis Spot; AUS on the Verge of Elimination – News18

Afghanistan’s win over Australia in the T20 World Cup 2024 Group 1 Spear 8 fixture at the Arnos Vale Ground, Aros Vale, St Vincent has jeopardized the 2021 Champions’ chances of qualification for the semi-finals.

Afghanistan got the better of Australia by 21 runs on a tricky wicket after they posted 148/6 riding on openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (60) and Ibhram Zadran’s (51) and a superlative bowling effort led by Gulbadin Naib (4/20). Australia were all out for 127.

AFG vs AUS Highlights, T20 World Cup 2024, Super 8: Gulbadin Naib Wreaks Havoc With Four-fer as Australia Incur 21-Run Loss Against Afghanistan

With one more game to go Australia found themselves second on the points table and their final Super 8 league game is against the unbeaten India at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia. Afghanistan will be playing Bangladesh in their final Super 8 league game at the same venue as today’s game.

India through to the Semi-finals

The Australia defeat means, India are more or less through to the semi-finals as even if they lose to Australia in their next match, they are assured to finish at the top of the table, unless Afghanistan manage a huge victory over Bangladesh and pip India’s NRR, provided India lose to Australia.

Australia on the verge of being knocked out

With one win and one loss, Australia are currently second on the points table, and with their final league game against India, it is looking very tough for them to qualify, given Afghanistan are hot favourites to win against Bangladesh, who have lost both their Super 8 games so far and are already eliminated.

For Australia to qualify for the semi-final, they will need to beat India on Tuesday and hope Bangladesh beat Afghanistan on the next day. If Australia lose to India and Afghanistan also lose to Bangladesh then NRR will come into play to decide the second team to go to the semi-final from Group 1.