Can ‘Divine intervention’ keep Pakistan alive in Champions Trophy?

BIRMINGHAM: While England have already confirmed their berth in the semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 from Group A, Group B remains wide open and any team can still make it into the top two.

Pakistan are in a very interesting and strange position where luck could either favour them or cause a heartbreak. One win could be enough to get the Green Shirts through to the semifinal but it is also possible that winning even both the remaining matches might not be enough.

The group is being led by India, with South Africa in the second position. Pakistan are playing their second match on Wednesday against South Africa at Edgbaston, after suffering a defeat by India in the first match. South Africa, on the other hand, defeated Sri Lanka in their opening match.

Now, there are two possible scenarios for Pakistan which will keep testing the nerves of cricket fans back home, who are praying tirelessly for the success of Pakistan team.

One scenario says that Pakistan can still qualify for the semifinal with just one win, even if they are defeated by South Africa in their second match of the tournament.

How so? If South Africa beat Pakistan and India, they will top the group with three wins. India have already won one match and if they are defeated by South Africa and also Sri Lanka then they will also have one win to their credit. If Pakistan manage to beat Sri Lanka in their last group match, it will leave the group with three teams with one win apiece, leaving the teams’ fate on the mercy of NRR.

This way, even one win looks enough for Pakistan to sail through. But there is another scenario in which even two wins might not be enough for Pakistan.

If Pakistan manage to beat both Sri Lanka and South Africa, and if South Africa manage to beat India and if India defeat Sri Lanka, then Sri Lanka will be knocked out and Pakistan, India and South Africa will have a decider on NRR. So if Pakistan can’t improve their NRR in the next two games, then the team will have to book the return flight home.

So, Pakistan cricket fans, get ready as the next few days are going to be no less than a nail-biting thriller for you!