The race to the T20 World Cup semifinals in Group 1 has come down to the last two matches, and all eyes are on the permutations, combinations, and qualification scenarios that are still up for grabs. With four teams still in contention to make it to the knockout stage of the tournament, anything can happen in the final stretch.
On Monday at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia, India will face off against Australia in a crucial match that could determine who makes it to the semis. The skies above the stadium are forecast to be mostly cloudy throughout the game, which is scheduled to start at 10:30 am local time, which is 8 pm in India. According to accuweather.com, the forecast for Monday morning in St Lucia includes partly sunny weather with possible thunderstorms and windy conditions. The cloud cover is expected to decrease as the day moves into the afternoon.
Unbeaten India currently leads Group 1 with 4 points and a net run rate of +2.425, putting them in prime position to reach the semis. However, Australia is not far behind with 2 points and an NRR of +0.223. If Australia loses to India on Monday, they will be knocked out of contention for a spot in the semifinals. On the other hand, if Afghanistan manages to beat Bangladesh in their final match of Group 1’s ‘Super Eight’ series on Tuesday at Windsor Park Stadium in Port-of-Spain Trinidad and Tobago, they will join India as one of Group 1’s two semifinalists.
In case of a washout or no result from either match between India and Australia or Afghanistan vs Bangladesh on Tuesday, it will come down to net run rate again – with Australia edging ahead of Afghanistan by just .001 NRR points.
Meanwhile in Group 2 defending champions England have already made it through to the semifinals after winning all their group stage matches so far with a net run rate of +3.679 . The winner of Tuesday’s match between West Indies and South Africa will join England as one of Group 2’s two semifinalists adding more excitement and tension into this already thrilling tournament.
With so much at stake over these next few days anything can happen as we head towards T20 World Cup Semifinals!
