Can India still qualify: A couple of losses first up pushed India in a position where they had to be dependent on other teams.
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The result of the recently concluded New Zealand vs Afghanistan ICC T20 World Cup 2021 match in Abu Dhabi has converted the last two Super 12 matches into dead-rubbers as results of the same won’t affect the qualifying teams.
Afghanistan, who had to win at all costs to keep both their and India’s chances of semi-finals qualification alive, couldn’t even challenge New Zealand as well as they would have liked to irrespective of the result.
Chasing a below par 125-run target, New Zealand prospered on the back of an unbeaten match-winning 68-run partnership for the third wicket between captain Kane Williamson (40 not out) and wicket-keeper batter Devon Conway (36 not out) as the pair batted sensibly to seal the chase in the penultimate over.
Can India still qualify for ICC T20 World Cup 2021 semi-finals?
India, who have won and lost two matches each in the tournament, are at the third position on the points table. Slated to play against Namibia tomorrow, a mammoth Indian victory would’ve bettered their NRR (Net Run Rate). However, NRR would’ve only come into play had Afghanistan defeated New Zealand at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium today.
A loss for the Afghans has ruled out all possibilities of India qualifying for the semi-finals of this World Cup. Readers must note that India have been eliminated from the tournament and the result of their match against Namibia won’t aid them in qualifying for the next round.
Even if India beat Namibia convincingly, their two consecutive losses against Pakistan and New Zealand first up had made it near-impossible for them to finish in the Top Two. Given the strength of the current Indian team, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that this T20 World Cup has been their worst-ever.
Is there any chance for India to qualify?
No.
