Pakistan’s hopes may have come alive with England’s victory over New Zealand, but if it has to reach the semi-finals, it will have to register a big win over Sri Lanka at any cost. The Super Eight stage match of the T20 World Cup between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played in Pallekele on Saturday. One match of Pakistan in Super Eight has already been washed out due to rain and if this match also gets washed out due to rain then Pakistan will suffer loss.
What is the position of the teams in Group-2?
Talking about Group-2 of the Super Eight stage, England has won all its three matches and has made it to the semi-finals with six points. New Zealand is in second place with three points from three matches with one win, one loss and one canceled match. New Zealand’s net run rate is +1.390. Pakistan team is at third position with one point from two matches with one loss and one canceled match. Pakistan’s net run rate is -0.461. At the same time, co-host Sri Lanka lost both its opening matches in the Super Eight, due to which its journey came to a halt.
Pakistan stuck in a dilemma
New Zealand’s defeat against England has made the semi-final race interesting and once again Pakistan is stuck in a dilemma.
From here the net run rate has become very important. That means Pakistan will not only have to defeat Sri Lanka, but will also have to register a big victory.
If Pakistan bats first against Sri Lanka and scores 160 runs, then it will have to win the match by 64 or more runs.
If Pakistan bowls first and restricts Sri Lanka to 160, then it will have to achieve this target in 40+ balls or 13.1 overs.
If Pakistan team cannot do this then New Zealand will qualify for the semi-finals on the basis of better net run rate.
New Zealand eyes Sri Lanka-Pakistan match
New Zealand will also keep an eye on the Pakistan and Sri Lanka match because it will be clear from this whether the Kiwi team’s journey will progress in the T20 World Cup or not. Talking about Pakistan, it has earned only one point in the Super Eight and that too due to the match being washed out against New Zealand. If the match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is washed out, then both the teams will get one point each, in such a situation, Pakistan will have a total of two points, while New Zealand already has three points. That means, if it rains in Pallekele and the match cannot be held, then Pakistan’s journey will end in the Super Eights itself.
What is the weather forecast?
It is a matter of relief for Pakistan fans that there is little chance of rain in Pallekele on Saturday. According to the Sri Lanka Meteorological Department, there is a one percent chance of rain in Pallekele on Saturday and the temperature may range from 19 to 26 degrees Celsius. If Pakistan team is successful in making it to the semi-finals then this match will be played in Colombo on March 4. If this does not happen then Eden Gardens of Kolkata will host the first semi-final match.