CT 2017: Group B – Qualification Scenarios for India, South Africa, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

After the first two games in the Group B of the Champions Trophy 2017, one and all would have expected India and South Africa to be the semi-finalist teams and their face off to decide the table topper from the group. However, in the two games in the last two days, Pakistan outclassed South Africa while Sri Lanka got the better off the Indian team to spice up the last two games between India-South Africa and Pakistan-Sri Lanka which are now virtual knockout games.

With all the teams tied at 2 points after two games, there are lots of ifs but they certainly need a win for making it through to the semi-finals of CT 2017.

Here we look at all the possible scenarios for the teams in the Group B:

India vs South Africa:

With a positive Net Run Rate of 1.272, Indians are currently in the best position in Group B for making it to the semis while South Africa are slightly behind with 1.000. To make it through to the next round irrespective of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka match result, all India needs is one point against South Africa, which means they should not lose the game at any cost.

A washout or a tie will help India go through irrespective of the result of the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka game. A win in this game will not only seal semis berth for India but also ensure they end as table toppers unless a Sri Lanka or Pakistan manage a huge win.

South Africa on the other hand, also needs a win to qualify irrespective of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan game. In the case of a washout or their game ending in a tie, the Proteas will need to hope for a similar result from the Sri Lanka-Pakistan game so that they can go through based on NRR along with India ahead of the Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan:

Depending on the result of India-South Africa game, the importance of the already crucial Sri Lanka-Pakistan match will increase. If the points are shared (washout/tie) in the India-South Africa game, the South Africans would be looking out for the same thing in the Asian sides’ encounter to save them from an early exist.

Just like the other two teams, whichever team among Sri Lanka and Pakistan wins this game will be making it through to the semis. However, none of them will qualify in the case if both the last two Group B games end with the teams sharing points; in case of a tie or a washout. If the Ind-SA game ends with the teams taking one point each, the winner of SL-PAK will finish as the table topper.