The India-Pakistan encounter on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) lit up the tournament with India stealing a victory from the jaws of defeat courtesy of Virat Kohli playing his best T20I knock, the man himself attested it.
Now, fans really wish for another India-Pakistan encounter. And the only possibility is if they meet in the final on November 13 at the MCG again.
India are on the cusp of sealing a semi-final spot, but Pakistan are staring at a group-stage exit. However, there is still a chance that Pakistan can qualify for the semi-finals and there could be an India-Pakistan final, but Pakistan needs outside help.
This is how Pakistan can qualify for the semi-final and meet India in the final of the T20 World Cup 2022:
New Zealand and England have qualified for the semis. All of the six teams in Group 2 will be in action on Sunday for the last day of Super 12. Interestingly, 5 of the 6 teams in Group 2 stand a possibility of qualifying for the semi-final and only the Netherlands are eliminated.
For Pakistan to qualify for the semis, first of all, they will have to beat Bangladesh, and pray that at least one of India and South Africa lose their match.
Pakistan have a superior NRR to India, so if Zimbabwe defeats India and Pakistan win over Bangladesh, Pakistan will qualify, eliminating India.
Now, since were are interested in both India and Pakistan reaching the semis, the other route for Pakistan to reach the semis will be South Africa’s elimination.
If South Africa either loses to the Netherlands or their game gets washed out then Pakistan will qualify, if they beat Bangladesh. A rule which not many fans would know: if two teams tie on points, then the number of wins are considered, and only then if the wins are also the same, then NRR gets involved.
South Africa already has had a washout vs Zimbabwe. So they need to win vs the Netherlands and can’t afford a washout, in that case, the winner of Pakistan-Bangladesh will pip over South Africa.
Is somehow, by any miracle by the rain gods or the Netherlands, South Africa fails to reach the semis and Pakistan go through instead, then, assuming India finised at the top of the points table and Pakistan at second – Pakistan will face New Zealand in the semi-final in Sydney and India will meet England in Adelaide.
The two teams will have to win the semi-final to have the ultimate face-off, a sequel of the 2007 T20 WC final, again, this time at the MCG!
