Pakistan, the 2009 T20 World Cup winners, began their campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12s against India on October 23. 

Despite the best efforts of the Pakistani bowlers in the opening game, the Babar Azam-led outfit came up short in a last-ball thriller. In the following match, Zimbabwe held their nerve in the final over as Pakistan, this time, failed to chase down the Chevrons’ score, suffering a one-run loss.

The Pakistan cricket team’s chances took a substantial hit after the first two results. However, a six-wicket win against the Netherlands at the Perth Stadium, along with India’s loss to South Africa, reignited Pakistan’s chances to qualify for the T20 World Cup semi-finals.

Shadab Khan’s all-round performance guided Pakistan home against South Africa by 33 runs in their latest Super 12 clash. The result gave the former world T20 champions’ Net Run Rate (NRR) a massive boost, taking it to 1.117, higher than India after four games in Group 2.

Pakistan face Bangladesh on Sunday, November 6, in their final Super 12 encounter of the T20 World Cup 2022.

Can Pakistan make the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-finals?

Babar Azam and Co. are currently third in the Super 12s Group 2 with four points. Despite them having the second-best NRR in the group, Pakistan will need multiple results to go their way to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-finals.

To begin with, Pakistan need to defeat Bangladesh on Sunday to have a chance of finishing in the top two of the group. The win will take Pakistan to six points, giving them the best chance to qualify. Although, they would still need either South Africa or India to lose their final game.

Considering a Pakistan victory, if India lose they will have the same number of wins as Pakistan but an inferior NRR, giving Pakistan a top-two spot in Group 2. If India win but South Africa lose, Pakistan will advance into the semi-finals despite being level on points with the Proteas as they will finish with more wins in the Super 12 than the Temba Bavuma-led side.

 

Featured photo: Aamir QURESHI / AFP