T20 World Cup Standings: permutations, NRR and the race for semis
The Super 8 stage is in full flow and the t20 world cup standings are coming into focus with four semi-final spots still up for grabs. The final is scheduled for Sunday, 8 March, and a clutch of fixtures over the next few days will decide the last two knockout berths.
T20 World Cup Standings: Super 8 groups
A total of eight teams progressed to the Super 8 stage and were placed into two groups of four. Group 1 comprises West Indies, South Africa, India and Zimbabwe. Group 2 comprises England, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Each team plays three matches in the Super 8 phase, facing each of the other teams in their respective group once, and the top two teams in each group will advance to the semi-finals. The winner of each Super 8 group will face the runner-up from the other group.
Who has qualified and who is out
England were the first team to qualify for the next phase after claiming convincing wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan in their opening two Super 8 fixtures, and they are through to the semi-finals after three straight wins. South Africa have also joined them, with the Proteas through after two impressive victories out of two. Zimbabwe were eliminated after losing against India on 26 February, and Sri Lanka are eliminated following their defeat by New Zealand on 25 February. Zimbabwe’s status is reinforced by having two defeats from two in the Super 8s.
Group 1 permutations and key fixtures
South Africa sit atop Group 1 and are into the semi-finals after victories over India and West Indies, and another victory against Zimbabwe in their final Super Eights fixture will ensure the Proteas finish in top spot. South Africa raced to 177/1 in 16. 1 overs after West Indies had recovered to 176/8, with captain Aiden Markram leading the charge with an unbeaten 82 in that chase. The Proteas' win over the West Indies also ended the West Indies’ previous unbeaten run in the tournament and continued a sequence in which the Proteas had earlier snapped India's 12-match unbeaten streak in T20 World Cups.
India and West Indies are effectively playing for the second spot in Group 1 when they meet on 1 March. India recorded a 72-run victory over Zimbabwe and that confidence-building win leaves India with a simple equation: a victory over West Indies will see India qualify for the semi-finals, while a loss will see them miss out. India and West Indies are level on two points after both lost to South Africa and both beat Zimbabwe; the winner of Sunday’s game in Kolkata (1. 30pm UK) will progress. If India do qualify then it is likely they will finish the Super Eights behind South Africa in second place and will meet the top-ranked team from Group 2 in the semis. West Indies will also be eliminated if they lose to India; they began the Super 8s with a win over Zimbabwe but their loss to the Proteas opened the door for the Eden Gardens meeting with India on Sunday where a semi-final spot is the prize for the victor.
Group 2 permutations and Pakistan scenario
England have secured the knockout place from Group 2, having defeated Sri Lanka and Pakistan and then guaranteeing top spot with a thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand. The second spot in Group 2 will be filled by either New Zealand or Pakistan. New Zealand face a nervy wait following their defeat by England: if Pakistan fail to beat Sri Lanka on Saturday then the Black Caps will be through, but victory for Salman Ali Agha's side would see second place decided by net run-rate.
Pakistan would need a comprehensive victory over already-eliminated Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Saturday (1. 30pm UK). Pakistan’s current run-rate stands at -0. 461 compared to New Zealand’s +1. 390, and if Pakistan bat first they would need to beat Sri Lanka by around 64 runs to overhaul New Zealand’s position.
How net run-rate (NRR) is calculated
Net run-rate is the common method for differentiating teams level on points in a limited-overs cricket tournament. It is a formula that measures a team's average margin of victory, or defeat — a side with several big wins will have a positive net run-rate, while those who have suffered sizeable losses will have a negative one. To understand net run-rate, you have to first get your head around run-rate.
Remaining fixtures and timelines
Remaining Super 8 fixtures highlighted across the groups include South Africa vs Zimbabwe and India vs West Indies (both listed as Sunday, March 1). Specific local kick-off listings in the context include South Africa’s final Super 8 fixture in Delhi on Sunday (9. 30am UK), and the India vs West Indies match in Kolkata (1. 30pm UK). England and South Africa are the two confirmed semi-finalists at this stage, while the other two positions remain firmly up for grabs ahead of the knockout stage that culminates in the final on Sunday, 8 March.
For followers tracking the t20 world cup standings, NRR calculations and the remaining match results will determine the final semi-final pairings over the coming days.
