After a loss to South Africa, India returned to winning ways against Bangladesh, but Shakib Al Hasan’s side Rohit Sharma’s team a proper scare with Liton Das blasting a 21-ball fifty.
After a rain break, the Indian bowlers stormed aided by terrific ground fielding – Liton Das was run out by KL Rahul’s direct hit that triggered a collapse, and Suryakumar and Deepak Hooda(substitute) took some terrific catches in the deep – and eventually, Arshdeep Singh kept his calm in the last over to seal a tight 5-run win for India.
With this victory in their second-last group match, India displaced South Africa at the top of the Group 2 points table and now have 6 points in 4 matches. With their last match against Zimbabwe, and if not for any miracle, the Men In Blue will be through to the semi-final.
South Africa is second with 5 points in 3 matches and next faces Pakistan and the Netherlands. A victory in any one of these two games will seal their semi-final slot.
Bangladesh remains third with 4 points in 4 games and next faces Pakistan. They are still alive in the competition, but will need South Africa to lose both their matches and they have to defeat Pakistan. Bangladesh’s NRR is also much behind South Africa, so even if Bangladesh somehow defeat Pakistan and South Africa lose one match and one match is washed out, South Africa’s superior NRR will take them through.
About Pakistan – Babar Azam’s side has 2 points in 3 games. It would need a miracle for Pakistan to qualify for the semis – they have to win their both matches – vs South Africa and Bangladesh by big margins – and South Africa should lose both their games.
Zimbabwe has 3 points in 4 matches and faces India next, while the Netherlands, with 2 points in 4 matches, faces South Africa next.
Updated points table Group 2 after IND vs BAN match:
Talking about Group 1, New Zealand, England and Australia all have 5 points in 4 matches each. But New Zealand, who meet Ireland next, are miles ahead of the rest two in terms of NRR, and are closest to the semis.
Whereas Australia, who meet Afghanistan in their last group game, have a poorer NRR compared to England, and will need a victory by a massive margin to go past England’s NRR, who take on Sri Lanka in their last group game. England face Sri Lanka after Australia’s last match so they will know exactly the equation. Of course, a loss for any of them, and wins for the other two will not bring NRR into consideration for the semi-final berth; but only for deciding who tops and who is second.
Sri Lanka have 4 points in 4 matches and are alive in the competition. They need to beat England, and hope at least one of New Zealand or Australia lose their last match.
Updated points table Group 1 after IND vs BAN match:
