NEW DELHI: Defending champions Australia delivered a commanding performance, defeating New Zealand by 60 runs to climb to the top of Group A in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, held in the UAE. On Tuesday, Australia set a challenging target of 149 runs, before dismissing New Zealand for just 88 in 19.2 overs.
With this comprehensive victory, Australia now have four points from two matches and lead the group with an impressive net run rate (NRR) of +2.524.The loss dropped New Zealand from the top spot to third place in the standings.
India’s path to the semifinals complicated by Australia’s win
India’s qualification to the semifinals has become more challenging after the Australia vs New Zealand match. But the heavy defeat substantially decreased New Zealand’s NRR, giving India an opportunity to catch up with a one-sided victory in their next match.
Currently, India sit in fourth place in Group A with two points from two games, the same as Pakistan (now second) and New Zealand, but trail behind due to an inferior NRR. India’s NRR of -1.217 is significantly lower than Pakistan’s +0.555 and New Zealand’s -0.050.
To advance to the semifinals, India must win both of their remaining matches — against Sri Lanka on Wednesday and Australia on Sunday — by substantial margins. Improving their NRR is crucial to surpass their rivals and finish in the top two.
Scenarios for India’s progression
- If India secure two convincing wins, they will accumulate six points. However, if New Zealand also win their remaining matches — against Pakistan and Sri Lanka — and Australia defeat Pakistan, all three teams (India, New Zealand, and Australia) will end up with six points each. In this scenario, NRR will decide which two teams advance to the semifinals from Group A.
- Pakistan also remain in the race for a semifinal spot. They currently hold second place and need to beat both Australia and New Zealand to finish on six points. If Pakistan win both matches and India also beat Australia and Sri Lanka, then India and Pakistan will qualify for the semifinals.
- If Australia win all their remaining matches, there could be another scenario of India, Pakistan and New Zealand finishing on four points each. Then NRR will decide the second spot in the group. With India already behind the other two contenders in terms of NRR, they will need a huge victory over Sri Lanka on Tuesday to be ready for such a scenario ahead.
So, India’s chances hinge on not just winning their matches but doing so decisively to boost their NRR above their competitors, starting from today’s match against their Asian rivals Sri Lanka.
