With only two matches left, Group B’s semi-final prospects have become a three-way race. Afghanistan’s recent win against England complicates the battle, with Australia, Afghanistan, and South Africa all eyeing qualification. Victory margins will be crucial for determining the top positions in this tight competition.
The battle for semi-finals qualification in Group B has intensified following Afghanistan’s victory over England, creating a three-way contention with only two matches remaining. Currently, Australia has three points with a net run rate (NRR) of 0.475, while Afghanistan holds two points with an NRR of -0.99. Meanwhile, South Africa also stands at three points with a notable NRR of 2.14, gearing up to face England soon.
If both Australia and South Africa win their upcoming matches, each will qualify with five points. The group’s top position will rely on their winning margins, which gives South Africa the advantage due to their recent dominant performance against Afghanistan. By hypothetically scoring 300 runs and winning by one run, Australia would need a victory by 87 runs under the same score to surpass South Africa’s NRR.
In the scenario where Australia and England win, Australia would secure the top position in the group with five points, leaving South Africa in second place with three points. Conversely, if both Afghanistan and South Africa win, South Africa will lead the group with five points, and Afghanistan will follow with four points, thereby pushing Australia out of the qualifying spots.
Should Afghanistan and England both win, Afghanistan would finish on top with four points, while South Africa and Australia would end with three points, with South Africa’s superior NRR keeping them in contention for qualification. To prevent being eliminated, South Africa must have a significant loss against England while Australia needs a narrow defeat.
In the event of a washout in the Australia-Afghanistan match, both teams would receive a point, bringing Australia to four points and ensuring their qualification. If South Africa secures a win over England, they will top the group. However, if England triumphs, an NRR determination will come into play, likely eliminating Afghanistan who will need South Africa to suffer an enormous defeat to qualify.
Ultimately, the outcomes of the final matches will determine the semi-finalists from Group B. South Africa is currently favored to finish on top, but outcomes involving Afghanistan and Australia create a complex web of possibilities that could alter standings significantly. Attention will be on how margin victories impact NRR as teams vie for qualification.
Original Source: www.espncricinfo.com
