The T20 World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean is being threatened by an unusual flash flood emergency that came along with a tropical low pressure system over a large section of Florida this week, which could cancel out the three Group A matches of the tournament scheduled for later.
However, if three games are washed out, there will be serious ramifications for Pakistan and who goes through from Group A to ‘Super 8s’ to join India.
Top two sides from each pool will qualify for further stages of ICC’s marquee T20 event.
Three stadiums in America; include Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida hosting some of the group-stage matches of world cup.
US stand to gain most should all three games fail to produce result as that would mean co-hosts making historic entry into ‘Super 8s’ on their debut while the 2009 champions take next flight back home.
Pakistan is a must win match for them but even that won’t be enough as they need favorable result between Ireland- USA clash which will indicate how far each has qualified based upon their net run rate at least so far in this tournament
This means:
India – Played 3 Matches (6 points) – Qualified for Super Eights (NRR +1.137)
USA – Played 3 Matches (4 points), NRR +0.127
Pakistan – Played 3 Matches (2 points) NRR +0.191
Canada – Played 3 Matches (2 points) NRR -0.493
Ireland – Played 2 Matches, no point (NRR -1.712)
Group A still has three more games left: these are Ireland vs United States June 14th; India versus Canada June15th; Pakistan against Ireland June16th.
Thus, according to these standings and fixtures, if US v Irish match is washed out, then USA will move to five points and that will take them through to the ‘Super 8s’ along with India as the other three team pack their bags. It means match between Pakistan and Ireland is irrelevant also.
However, if a result is possible in the US vs. Irish clash, it would suit Pakistan for Ireland to win; because if that happens they will only need a win against Ireland in order to progress to the Super Eights. If Ireland wins however, then USA can go through.
But Florida weather can still have the last laugh, as indicated by reports from forecasters.
State of emergency was declared by Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood mayors on Wednesday in response to this impending storm warning from National Hurricane Centre (NHC). Yet, it has not developed into a cyclone according to NHC’s latest bulletin.
“Rainfall should stay heavy across much of southern Florida over next few days whether or not this system develops,” said the National Hurricane Centre website yesterday.
The storm is approaching Miami according to warning messages released by National Weather Service office in Miami itself.
“Life-threatening flooding is now ongoing. Please stay off the roadways and get to higher ground,” the service posted on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).