T20 World Cup 2024 Qualification Scenarios: How can Pakistan, England, Sri Lanka & New Zealand qualify for Super 8

The first leg of the T20 World Cup has witnessed some surprising results and a rain-affected match resulting in split points leaving the favourites in each group with significant work to do to advance to the Super Eight.

Pakistan, England, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka are in tricky spots, with three of them needing help from other teams. Oman is currently the only team eliminated from contention for a Super 8 spot across all four groups.

Here's how things stand for different teams:

How can Pakistan qualify?

With their convincing seven-wicket win over Canada, Pakistan have kept their qualification hope alive.

With their net run rate now at 0.191, they're close to the qualification line if they defeat Ireland and if the United States lose their remaining two matches. This is because the required margins are small: even if the USA loses both matches by a total margin of ten runs (with scores of 140 by the team batting first), Pakistan only needs to win with a score of at least 112 batting first to qualify.

But Pakistan has a bigger thing to worry about and that is the weather. Throughout the week, there is a forecast of rain during their match against Ireland in Lauderhill.

England’s chances:

In group B, Australia is comfortably placed at the top, while England faces a situation similar to Pakistan's. England will have to win their final two matches and will have to rely on Scotland losing their last game against Australia on June 15. However, England has a bigger task due to their lower net run rate compared to Scotland's.

Also, England will pray for clear weather to win points and victory margins, as another washout could lead to their elimination.

England will pray for clear weather to stack up points and victory margins, as another washout could lead to their elimination.

Can Sri Lanka qualify?

Sri Lanka sitting at the bottom of Group D table with 2 points have very slim chances of qualifying. To make the cut they will have to defeat the Netherlands in their last pool game by a huge margin and will rely on other results to be in their favour.

They need the Netherlands versus Bangladesh match to be washed out, followed by Bangladesh losing to Nepal, who should then lose to South Africa. This sequence of events would result in a four-way tie between Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands, which would be resolved based on Net Run Rate

Where does New Zealand stand?

New Zealand’s stunning loss to Afghanistan by a margin of 84 runs has severely dented its chances of qualifying. Currently, their run rate is -4.2.

Afghanistan have won their two matches with a total margin of 209 runs, significantly boosting their run rate to 5.225. Both West Indies and Afghanistan secured victories against Uganda by more than 120 runs. New Zealand faces a crucial match against West Indies on Wednesday, essentially a must-win game. If New Zealand loses, West Indies will advance with six points, and Afghanistan will likely follow suit by defeating PNG. In such a scenario, New Zealand's remaining matches against Uganda and PNG on Saturday and Monday will become inconsequential.