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On Sunday, June 9, Pakistan lost to India by six runs in a last over thriller in the Group A match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. After suffering defeats in the first two matches in the T20 World Cup, Pakistan are in fourth place in a five-team group, with their chances of making the Super 8 stage in real jeopardy.
After being put into bat first, India were comfortably placed at 81/3 at the halfway stage of the innings, but a combination of some ordinary shot selection and good bowling led to a batting collapse. The Indian cricket team were bundled out for 119 runs in just 19 overs after Rishabh Pant scored 42 off 31, while the likes of Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf picked up three wickets each.
In the run chase, Pakistan batted steadily in the first half of the innings, finding themselves at 57/1, but their lack of intent led to the set batter Mohammad Rizwan throwing his wicket away for 31 off 44, trying to slog across the line. The Indian bowlers got into their own after the dismissal of the wicket-keeper batter, with their leader Jasprit Bumrah getting into his, picking up three wickets to help restrict Pakistan to 113/7, for which he was adjudicated the player of the match.
How can Pakistan qualify for Super 8 stage after losing to India?
The two consecutive defeats against the USA and India have put the Pakistan cricket team in a precarious situation in Group A of the T20 World Cup 2024 with no points on the board, while their NRR is (-0.150). To give themselves the best chance to make the Super 8 stage from here, Pakistan must defeat Canada and Ireland by big margins, which is easier said than done on current form.
If Pakistan finds a way to turn over Canada and Ireland with ease in their final two Group A matches in the T20 World Cup 2024, they will be needing other results to go their way to make the Super 8 stage. Most specifically, the USA should lose to both India and Ireland by big margins, which will put Pakistan in a position to make the next round of the ongoing ICC tournament.
