The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 is swiftly approaching the knockout round, and the qualification possibilities in Group 2 are starting to take shape.

However, there is still much to play for in the Super 12 group, as no team has yet been declared through to the final four. We look at the current situation as it stands:

Who has the best chance of making it to the semi-finals?

It would take more than one unexpected outcome to prevent South Africa and India from being the two teams to advance from Group 2 and into the tournament’s semifinals. India’s close and nail-biting win over Bangladesh has moved them to the top of the table with six points from four games, but they might be caught if results go against them and they lose to Zimbabwe in their last encounter.

South Africa can clinch their place in the top two with a win over Pakistan on Thursday. If they lose the match, the group will be relegated to the last round of games. 

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Has India qualified?

Technically, India won’t be out of the competition until the last round of games, when Rohit Sharma’s team plays the final match in the group.

The scheduling of the Zimbabwe match would have provided India an advantage in terms of understanding what they required in terms of net run rate if the results had been different (as is the scenario in Group 1).

India, meanwhile, might already be qualified as things are if other outcomes in the group go their way. If Pakistan defeats Bangladesh and South Africa defeats Pakistan, no one can take India’s place in the top two.

India would undoubtedly go to the semifinals even if results went against them and they began their match against Zimbabwe outside of the qualification spots; only South Africa can equal the eight points that a victory would give them.

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Pakistan’s future remains uncertain

Although Babar Azam and his team’s prospects of making it to the semi-finals are decreasing, they are still mathematically in the running.

They must beat South Africa on Thursday first and foremost. If they lose that game, their chances of qualifying are over.

If Pakistan defeats the Proteas, they will then need to defeat Bangladesh in their fifth and final match, preferably by a sizable margin to give them a good final NRR just in case that turns out to be the determining factor.

Pakistan would then need aid. If Zimbabwe pulls off a surprise victory in the last group game, they might finish ahead of India.

Alternatively, they might surpass South Africa if the Dutch pull off a surprise in that match or if play is postponed due to bad weather and Pakistan pass the Proteas on NRR.

So, while unlikely, it’s still feasible at this time. Any glimmer of hope, though, depends on the outcome of that crucial game in Sydney on Thursday.

The Netherlands’ victory over Zimbabwe on Wednesday basically eliminated Zimbabwe from the race for an improbable top-two finish.

There may have been a possibility for Zimbabwe to pull off one of the biggest upsets in tournament history had Sikandar Raza led his team to win over the Dutch – and he did his best with little help.

Major Upcoming Game

South Africa vs. Pakistan on November 3

This game might determine the composition of the team.

South Africa would advance to the semifinals as the first team mathematically certain to do so with a victory in Sydney.

However, a victory for Pakistan would maintain them in the running for a top-two finish, even though after those first two defeats, qualification is still out of their control.

Rest of the Group 2 Fixtures

• South Africa against. Pakistan on November 3 at SCG in Sydney
• Netherlands vs. South Africa on November 6 at Adelaide Oval
• Bangladesh vs. Pakistan on November 6 at Adelaide Oval.
• On November 6, Zimbabwe will play India at Melbourne’s MCG.