T20 World Cup 2022: How can Pakistan and Bangladesh still qualify for semi-finals?

Bangladesh suffered a heart-breaking five-run (DLS method) defeat against India in their latest T20 World Cup 2022 clash on Wednesday (November 2). India posted a huge 184/6 total while batting first at the Adelaide Oval and Bangladesh responded well with opener Litton Das smashing 60 runs off just 27 balls. But their batters struggled after the rain interruption and fell narrowly short by five runs at the end.

But despite the defeat, Bangladesh remain on the third position in the Super 12 Group 2 table with four points from their opening four matches. They are just two points behind group leaders India and a point behind second-placed South Africa.

Bangladesh next face Pakistan, who are struggling at the fifth position with just two points. The Bangla Tigers will face the Babar Azam-led side in their last group-stage fixture and a win against them can still help them finish in the top two positions.

But they also have to depend on other teams' results as they need South Africa to earn just one point from their remaining two games. They can finish ahead of the Proteas on the number of wins but it is highly unlikely.

If South Africa win any or both of their remaining games, then they (Bangladesh) have to depend on India's last game against Zimbabwe. They will require India to lose against Zimbabwe by more than 150 runs as the former boosts an impressive net run rate.

Fifth-placed Pakistan are also in the race for a semi-final spot:

Pakistan's loss against India in a last-ball thriller was a big disappointment for the Pakistan fans but they were shocked when the team suffered a one-run defeat against Zimbabwe in the following game.

Pakistan registered their first win in the tournament with an unconvincing six-wicket triumph over the Netherlands in their third game. They are now struggling on the fifth position with just two points from the opening three matches.

But Pakistan can still hope for the top two finish in Group 2 as they boost a positive net run rate and have two games in their hand. Pakistan need to win their remaining two games which are against South Africa and Bangladesh respectively and hope for some favourable results from other games as well. 

If Pakistan win both the remaining games, then they will require India to lose against Zimbabwe in their last game by eight or more runs (after scoring 160) as they currently boost a better net run rate than India.

If India win against Zimbabwe then Pakistan will need South Africa to lose or win at least one point from their last game against the Netherlands. With rain being a consistent factor in the ongoing tournament, this scenario is likely to go in favour of Pakistan, only if they win their remaining both matches.

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