Afghanistan’s victory over UAE in Delhi has not only kept their hopes alive but also allowed South Africa to advance to the Super 8 round of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. They become the third team to reach this stage after the West Indies and India.
South Africa’s qualification has tightened the race in Group D. One team has secured a spot in the Super 8, while four others are competing for the second place.
The upcoming matches are crucial. The remaining fixtures in Group D are:
- New Zealand vs Canada – 17 February
- South Africa vs UAE – 18 February
- Afghanistan vs Canada – 19 February
These matches will determine which teams will join South Africa in the Super 8.
Qualification Scenario for Each Team in Group D
New Zealand
New Zealand needs to win against Canada to guarantee a place in the Super 8. If they lose, they hope that UAE, Afghanistan, and Canada also lose their remaining matches. If two teams end up with the same points, net run rate will be the deciding factor.
UAE
The UAE has a slim chance of advancing. They must beat South Africa in their last league match and rely on Canada to defeat both New Zealand and Afghanistan, all while maintaining a better net run rate than UAE.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan remains in contention for the Super 8. They need to win their last league match against Canada and require the UAE to lose to South Africa. Additionally, Canada must beat New Zealand for Afghanistan’s qualification to be possible.
Canada
Canada faces a challenging task. They must win both of their remaining matches and need South Africa to defeat UAE to avoid complications with net run rate. Winning against New Zealand and Afghanistan will be tough.
While South Africa has already secured their place in the tournament, the outcomes of the other teams are still undecided. Every match from this point resembles a knockout game, where a single mistake can eliminate a team’s chances. Intense competition is expected in Group D as teams vie for the final Super 8 position.
