EXPLAINED: How India Can Qualify For Women's T20 World Cup Semifinals After Losing By 58 Runs Against New Zealand

The Indian women’s cricket team opened its campaign in the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Friday (October 4) against New Zealand. In the first match played at Dubai International Stadium, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side went down by 58 runs. New Zealand captain Sophie Devine opted to bat first, after which White Ferns posted a total of 160 runs for the loss of four wickets in 20 overs. In reply to the 161-run target, Women in Blue could manage to score 102 runs in 19 overs.

The shocking defeat against New Zealand has hampered India’s chances of qualifying for the semi-finals. India has to win all three remaining matches against Pakistan (October 6), Sri Lanka (October 9), and Australia (October 13) to give them a realistic chance of securing a place in the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.

If India suffers defeat in any of the remaining three matches, its chances of reaching the knockouts of the ongoing 10-team shortest format megaevent will depend on the results of other teams and matches in the group.

India will face Pakistan in the second match of the T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday in Dubai, and the Harmanpreet Kaur-led team can’t afford to lose that match. Pakistan has already defeated Sri Lanka by 31 runs in its opening match, and with 2 points and a net run rate of +1.550, Women in Green sit at No. 2 position in the points table. India, on the other hand, is in last position of Group A points table (0 points and -2.900 net run rate).

Group A points table

A big win over Pakistan will not only help India improve the net run rate, but it can also take them to the No. 1 position in the points table. However, it won’t be an easy task for India to defeat Pakistan in Dubai, and even if they manage to do so, India can’t sit back and relax as they have to get the better of Sri Lanka and Australia as well in the last two matches.

According to the tournament rules, the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, which are set to take place in Dubai and Sharjah on October 17 and 18, respectively.