'It is going to be tough for Aussies' - Wasim Jaffer tips England and New Zealand to progress to semi-final round

England beat New Zealand in a crucial T20 World Cup 2022 clash on Tuesday (November 1) to boost their chances to progress to the semi-final round. England are now placed in the second position in the Super 12 Group 1 table with five points from the opening four games. New Zealand are still dominating the top spot with five points but with an impressive net run rate.

Tournament hosts and current champions Australia are struggling at the third position with five points but with a negative net run rate. All these three teams will now battle for the top-two spots to progress to the semi-final round with just a game in hand. New Zealand face Ireland and Australia clash with bottom-placed Afghanistan while England face a tough challenge from another contender Sri Lanka.

Australia's 89-run defeat against New Zealand in their first match will definitely hurt them: Wasim Jaffer

New Zealand are likely to register an easy win over Ireland but both England and Australia need big wins in their last fixture to boost their net run rate. The former Indian batter Wasim Jaffer believes that Australia's 89-run defeat against New Zealand in their opening clash will hurt them and he tips England and New Zealand to progress from Group 1.

"I think Australia's 89-run defeat against New Zealand in their first match will definitely hurt them as their net run rate is still poor. Even all three teams( Australia, England, and New Zealand) win their last match and if someone registers a very big victory then it will be a different thing, but England and New Zealand will go through," Wasim Jaffer said in BatBricks7 Run Ki RunNeeti England-New Zealand post-match live show on Crictracker.

New Zealand and Australia are scheduled to play their last Group 1 fixture on November 4 while England face Sri Lanka on November 5. Jaffer highlighted that England face a tough challenge against Sri Lanka but they play after Australia and New Zealand's respective games which will be a huge advantage.

"England (who plays the last game) have the advantage that they will be playing with a target in mind. But they are playing against Sri Lanka so it will be a tough match but at least they can control the net run rate if they win the toss and bowl first in the last match. And I think Australia will struggle a little bit in their last game," Jaffer added.

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