Which Team Will Make It To The WTC25 Final?
With only 15 test matches left in the current WTC cycle, the battle for the top two has really heated up. No side yet, is guaranteed a place in the WTC25 final and several teams still have a shot at landing one of the coveted spots. Here’s how the teams are shaping up as they go into the final stretch: South Africa Percent: 59.26, matches remaining: SL (1 home Test), PAK (2 home) A big win for South Africa at Durban has put them in a good position, but they still need to pick up more points to guarantee qualification to the WTC25 final. If they lose to Sri Lanka but win both their remaining Tests against Pakistan, then they would still have a fair chance of qualification with 61.11%. However, the two teams that could surpass them both are Sri Lanka and India. If South Africa somehow draw their second Test against Sri Lanka and then beat Pakistan 1-0, things would be much safer than they are now. In this best-case scenario, winning each of their next two series could guarantee them a place at the final, with only a possibility of Australia and India outscoring them. Sri Lanka Percent: 50.00, matches remaining: SA (1 away Test), AUS (2 home) Sri Lanka’s loss in Durban has complicated their route to the WTC25 final. They can get a maximum of 61.54% if they win their remaining three tests, which will guarantee them a spot in the final. However if they lose another test, they will rely on other teams’ performances as South Africa, India and Australia could surpass them. In order to stay ahead of the pack, Sri Lanka should aim to win the series against South Africa and Australia in their last matches. New Zealand Percent: 50.00, matches remaining: ENG (2 home) New Zealand’s chances are somewhat doused by its dismal performance in Christchurch, reducing their highest possible points to 57.14%. Though this leaves them a thin chance, they still have a mathematical chance to be in the WTC25 final. For instance, if the Australia-India series goes 1-1 and other series end in draws, New Zealand will top the table. However they would need a number of results to go in their favor to qualify and will rely on a series win against England for their hopes. India Percent: 61.11, matches remaining: AUS (4 away) A dominant win in Perth has increased India’s chances of qualifying into the final, however they need to finish strong in the remaining series against Australia. To be confirmed for a place in the WTC25 finals, India need to win three out of four remaining tests at Australia. In case India wins 3-0, it would get more points than Sri Lanka’s best achievable points and also would stand better than South Africa. While it has lesser points, they might also qualify among top two. However this all greatly depends on other teams. India’s fate is tied not only to their own results but also to the performances of South Africa, Australia and Sri Lanka. Australia Percent: 57.69, matches remaining: Ind (4 home Tests), SL (2 away) Australia’s loss to India in Perth has placed them under pressure. With their remaining six tests, they need four wins and a draw to stay in the hunt. If they win both the home series against India and Sri Lanka, they will exceed Sri Lanka’s maximum potential points. However Australia can finish at the top two only if they make their remaining series spotless, especially the one against Sri Lanka in the away series. Even if India wins 3-2 in the current series, Australia may finish ahead as they would have swept Sri Lanka. Pakistan Percent: 33.33, matches remaining: SA (2 away), WI (2 home) Pakistan’s revival at home has come too late in the cycle. Their maximum possible points of 52.38% still leave them with slim chances of qualification. To even have a chance, they would need several results to go their way. If Sri Lanka and New Zealand fail to go well in their remaining series, Pakistan may still end up in the running for a second-place finish. However, even a perfect record in their last four Tests most likely will not be enough to secure them a place in the final without other results working in their favor. England Percent: 43.75, matches remaining: NZ (2 away) England’s hopes of qualification are very low however not impossible. They now stand at 43.75% after their win in Christchurch, which means that there is very little margin for error. Still, on paper, they can mathematically finish second if all the other results go in their favor. If India loses all the remaining tests and South Africa and Sri Lanka do not garner enough points, England could sneak into second place. However, their chances of qualification for the WTC25 final are extremely low. Bangladesh and West Indies (Eliminated) Both Bangladesh and the West Indies are effectively out of the running for the top two positions in the WTC25 and their points and results aren’t enough to challenge the leaders. As the last 15 test matches take place, the battle for a place in the WTC25 final at Lord’s is bound to intensify. South Africa, Sri Lanka and India have a shot at it, whereas Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan still have a very slim chance. A few results will determine who finally goes to the final however one thing is sure, the race to the final of the WTC25 is wide open. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
OTD In 2022: Virat Kohli Produced More Than A Cinema
Kohli Goes Down The Ground! Kohli Goes Out Of The Ground! Under the bright lights of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a story for the ages was written, exactly on this day, two years ago. This was not just a T20 World Cup game between arch rivals, India and Pakistan. It was an epic, a nerve-jangling thriller with more twists and turns than a Bollywood plot. If cricket were theatre, this was Virat Kohli‘s magnum opus, his Hamlet, performed before 90,000 fans, with an audience of a billion more watching from every corner of the globe. India In Trouble Let’s wind back to the start. Pakistan put up a respectable score of 159/8 that was chalked out thanks to fifties by Shan Masood and Iftikhar Ahmed. India’s bowlers, particularly Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya, chipped in with crucial wickets, however 159 was a pretty good score on the board. Then came the start that you wouldn’t even wish on your worst enemies; India started off the chase in carnage—Rohit Sharma? Gone. KL Rahul? Not anymore. Suryakumar Yadav? He is gone as well. India was at 31-4 and it was déjà vu – the same thing that had happened at the 2021 T20 World Cup where Pakistan hammered India by 10 wickets. Disaster had been looming large yet again. Virat Takes The Centre Stage In walks Virat Kohli. Adding to this lineup was Hardik Pandya and Kohli once more stood with India against all hope. The Pakistani pace battery, led by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, had fire in their eyes and MCG had their crowd. However, Kohli had other plans. A Run-Chase Like No Other Now this was no game run chase. This was the edge of your seat, “Is that really life or a fever dream?” type of a chase. Kohli and Pandya played it cool for the first 10 overs, nudging the ball around, running hard between the wickets. The required run rate was climbing faster than a Himalayan trek, however Kohli’s eyes? Calm as a monk. Kohli Turns The Tide Then, came the last three overs, during which India had 48 still to get. At that time, Kohli might have thought, “Let’s make this interesting.” Shaheen Afridi came to bowl the 18th over. Kohli decided to go haywire like a kid dissembling the LEGO set. Three boundaries in one over. India still needed 31 from 12 balls, however hope flickered. Then, of course, Haris Rauf came with his 19th over—a bowing masterpiece—when Kohli did what Kohli does best. Two jaw-dropping strokes that will be replayed in highlights packages until eternity. One was an exquisite straight loft over Rauf’s head that seemed to cover miles and miles until a man possibly on Mars saw it. The other was a wristy flick over fine leg, which defied physics itself. India needed 16 now off the final over. Cricket, Chaos and Calm Mohammad Nawaz was under more stress than a teenage prom-goer and took the ball in the final over. It wasn’t too long before he got Hardik Pandya out, leaving Kohli sitting all alone with R Ashwin to keep him company. The aftereffect was a cricketing sitcom piece involving no-ball, a wide and a free hit that saw Kohli scrambling for byes after the ball hit the stumps. It was chaos, pure unfiltered chaos. Ashwin’s Final Ball Heroics Then, when two runs were needed off the final ball, Ashwin, cool as anything, lofted Nawaz over mid-off. Game. Over. India had done it. Kohli’s Knock For The Ages As Kohli stood there, arms aloft, drinking-in the roar and the cheer of the crowd, it was never just a cricket match that had been won-it was a battle of wills, a triumph of the human spirit. For an unbeaten 82 off 53 balls wasn’t just a knock, it was masterclass in clutch moments, pure legendary stuff. And if ever you needed evidence that sport is the grandest drama of all, this game was it. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
USA vs India: How Babar Azam’s Pakistan Can Still Qualify for Super 8s?
The next encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, the USA will take on India in New York. While this match is important for both teams, it holds special significance for the Pakistan Cricket fans. Babar Azam and his men will be hoping that the USA can pull off a surprise victory against India, which would greatly help Pakistan’s chances in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Pakistan’s Situation in the T20 World CupPakistan has faced a tough time in the tournament so far. They have lost two matches and are now in a difficult position. However, they are not out of the competition yet. Their future in the tournament depends on the performances of India and the USA. The 2024 T20 World Cup has been full of surprises, with top teams losing to underdogs. Pakistan, who were finalists in the 2022 World Cup, have struggled this time. Their batting, bowling, and fielding have not been up to the mark, putting them on the brink of elimination. A Ray of Hope for Pakistan Despite their struggles, Pakistan still has a chance to make it to the Super 8s if certain things go their way. After losing to both the USA and India, Pakistan won against Canada, improving their net run rate to 0.191. For Pakistan to advance, they must:1. Beat Ireland Pakistan needs to win their match against Ireland.2. USA to Lose Two Matches The USA needs to lose their two remaining matches against India on June 12 and Ireland on June 14. Even if the USA loses by a total of ten runs (assuming a score of 140 by the team batting first), any win for Pakistan will be enough as long as they score at least 112 when batting first. Weather ConcernsPakistan also has to worry about the weather for their match against Ireland at Lauderhill. A previous game at this venue between Sri Lanka and Nepal was washed out due to rain. If the USA gains even one more point and Pakistan loses a point due to a washout, Pakistan will be out of the World Cup. For Pakistani fans, the upcoming matches are critical. They will be hoping for favorable results and clear skies to keep their World Cup hopes alive. You may also likeUSA vs. India: Weather, Playing XI, Injuries, and Game Changers The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
2024 T20 World Cup: USA Stuns Pakistan, Babar Azam & Co. on Survival Mode vs India?
Pakistan, once again failed to live up to the expectations at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 as they were stunned by the USA in a Group-A encounter. Saurabh Netravalkar, an Indian with a Green Card made sure Pakistan was kept at bay in the super over. Chasing 19 in the super over, Pakistan only scored 13 runs, losing the game by 5 runs. The win over Pakistan has meant USA are now unbeaten in their opening two matches. Pakistan now are on a survival-mode as they would be playing for their pride as they next take on their arch rivals, India. The question is will Pakistan be able to manage their Super 8 qualification or will India send them back to their huts? India vs Pakistan – A Do-Or-Die Game For PakistanBabar Azam’s team has a tough job ahead to move up the points table and reach the knockouts. They are currently third in Group A, while the USA and India have not lost any matches yet. A win against India is crucial for Pakistan to stay in contention for the Super-8 stage. If they lose to their neighbors, Pakistan might increase the risk of being knocked out of the tournament. Pakistan still has a chance to qualify for the Super 8s. The best outcome would be a win against their rivals, India. If Pakistan loses to India, they will need the USA to lose their remaining two matches against Ireland and India, and Pakistan will have to win both of their last two matches after playing India. You may also like: How can Pakistan qualify for Super 8s?Pakistan needs at least six points from their four group stage matches. They have already lost one match to the USA, making the path ahead difficult for the team. Under coach Gary Kirsten, the team must win all their remaining three matches in the group stage. Another loss would mean Pakistan has to depend on the results of other Group A matches. As Pakistan tries to qualify for the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, the situation is clear. With six points needed and only three matches left, Pakistan must win all three to secure their place in the next stage. The team faces a tough challenge but is determined to perform their best in these crucial matches. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye