The ICC Men’s T20I World Cup has delivered in so many ways already.
The tournament has unearthed rising stars, seen big guns perform, delivered blockbuster matches, produced Super Overs, and concocted wild upsets.
So as we near the final phase of the opening group stage, let’s take stock and assess where every team is, who has progressed, and who else looks likely.
Confirmed Qualifiers
Six teams have now secured qualification to the next stage, including both qualifiers from Groups A and C:
India
Australia
South Africa
West Indies
Afghanistan
USA
Australia, India and Afghanistan have both been slotted into Group 1 of the Super Eight stage, confirming a face-off between three unbeaten teams at the tournament so far.
South Africa, West Indies and USA have filled three of the four spots in Group 2.
Bangladesh, England, Scotland and the Netherlands are in contention for the two remaining spots in Super Eight.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup State of Play
Let’s run through each group and determine which of the remaining teams are on the path to the Super Eight plus assess which teams still have plenty of work to do.
Group A
Teams: India (Q), United States (Q), Pakistan (E), Canada (E), Ireland (E)
INDIA (6 points | 1.137 NRR)
Qualified | Three wins from three games means India are through to the Super Eight stage at a relative canter. Progression to the Super Eight didn’t come easy for Rohit Sharma’s side, who were made to work hard by both Pakistan and USA in low-scoring thrillers in New York.
But the world’s top-ranked T20I side can now look ahead to different sorts of challenges as the tournament progresses.
UNITED STATES (5 points | 0.127 NRR)
Qualified: What a story USA have had so far.
An opening win over Canada and that stunning victory against Pakistan put the co-hosts in a terrific position to claim a surprise qualification to the Super Eight, and the washout against Ireland in Lauderhill confirmed their spot in the Super Eight stage.
It’s hard to underplay what an achievement this is for a team ranked No. 17 in the world and with almost no major tournament experience.
PAKISTAN (2 points, 0.191 NRR)
Eliminated: For every nail-biter and underdog winner, there’s a loser who faces the consequences, and that has been Pakistan’s reality at this tournament.
With two losses to start their campaign, the Asian powerhouse hit back with a win over Canada, but needed a helping hand from other teams and the weather, and they didn’t get that.
USA’s washout against Ireland means that Pakistan cannot usurp the Americans even if they were to beat the Irish in Florida on Sunday.
CANADA (2 points | -0.493 NRR)
Eliminated | The Canadians fought back from a loss to USA in the tournament opener by securing a 12-run win over Ireland.
But Tuesday’s loss to Pakistan and results elsewhere mean that Canada can no longer reach the Super Eight stage, even if they were to stun the world’s top-ranked T20I side in their final group game.
IRELAND (1 points | -1.712 NRR)
Eliminated | The washout in Lauderhill against the USA consigned Ireland to a fate that looked set from the moment they lost their second group game, against Canada, in New York.
Sunday’s final game against Pakistan gives them a chance to take some positives from a tournament that has been a big disappointment for a team that had hopes of pushing for the Super Eight.
Group B
Teams: Australia (Q), Scotland, England, Namibia (E), Oman (E)
AUSTRALIA (6 points | 3.580 NRR)
Qualified | The Aussies are through and looking strong, highlighted by their huge win over the English and then a dominant display against Namibia. Another victory against Scotland ensures they’ll top Group B.
SCOTLAND (5 points | 2.164 NRR)
While the all-UK showdown in Barbados was a no-result, the Scots put themselves in a good spot in Group B, still unbeaten.
England’s huge win over Oman has changed the equation somewhat, with Scotland either needing to beat Australia in their final game or hoping that one of Namibia or the weather does them a favour against their southerly neighbours.
ENGLAND (3 points | 3.081 NRR)
England’s massive win over Oman has changed the equation somewhat.
They now need to beat Namibia in their final group match and hope that Scotland don’t get anything against Australia in their final game. NRR will no longer be a concern.
The weather could still deny England, but they are firmly back into qualification contention.
NAMIBIA (2 points | -2.098 NRR)
Eliminated | Following the heavy defeat to Australia, Namibia is now eliminated. The best they can do is finish on four points, which would still leave them below Australia and Scotland.
OMAN (0 points | -1.613 NRR)
Eliminated: Oman are out having lost all four matches.
They have, however, played some impressive cricket, which included giving Australia a fight, and should be buoyed by their efforts moving forward.
Group C
Teams: West Indies (Q), Afghanistan (Q), New Zealand (E), Uganda (E), Papua New Guinea (E)
AFGHANISTAN (6 points | 4.140 NRR)
Qualified | The Afghans made a huge statement against New Zealand, announcing themselves as genuine tournament contenders.
They’ve won three from three now this T20 World Cup, sealing progression after the win over Papua New Guinea.
WEST INDIES (6 points | 2.596 NRR)
Qualified | It’s been a strong display by the West Indies so far, moving to three from three after beating New Zealand and securing a spot in the next stage.
The Men in Maroon will battle it out against a strong Afghanistan side in their last contest for bragging rights in the group.
NEW ZEALAND (2 points | -0.241 NRR)
Eliminated losses in the first two games, left the Black Caps out of contention as Afghanistan and West Indies went on to secure wins in their first three games.
Though New Zealand won’t be able to overtake either, they managed to secure a decisive win over Uganda in Tarouba on Saturday.
They play their final contest against PNG.
UGANDA (2 points | -4.510 NRR)
Eliminated: Uganda collected their first-ever T20 World Cup win in the group stage, making it a successful campaign.
They eventually finished their debut run with that win against PNG, and a wealth of experience against some of the finest cricketing sides in the world.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA (0 points | -0.790 NRR)
Eliminated: Looking to play an interfering role, PNG came up short against Afghanistan, confirming elimination. This World Cup has been a growth opportunity, collecting key lessons despite remaining winless after three matches.
Group D
Teams: South Africa (Q), Bangladesh, Netherlands, Nepal (E), Sri Lanka (E)
SOUTH AFRICA (8 points, 0.470 NRR)
Qualified | The Proteas qualified on the back of four successive wins.
They picked up the all-important scalp of Sri Lanka to hit the ground running, before taking care of the Netherlands in a close encounter.
The brilliance of their bowling attack helped secure another victory in another tight finish against Bangladesh.
Qualification became confirmed when Sri Lanka and Nepal’s match was abandoned.
They were run close by a spirited Nepal in their final group game, but eventually won by one run.
BANGLADESH (4 points | 0.478 NRR)
The Tigers are in control of their own qualification destiny in Group D.
After beginning with a close win over Sri Lanka, they missed a golden opportunity in the thriller against South Africa in New York, in a game that they could and probably should have won.
But Thursday’s victory over Netherlands means that they are in prime position to join South Africa in the next stage.
A win over Nepal in their final group game would seal it, and even defeat may not prove terminal depending on how the Netherlands go against Sri Lanka, along with NRR permutations.
NETHERLANDS (2 points | -0.408 NRR)
The Netherlands must beat Sri Lanka in their final group game if they are to stand any chance of qualifying, but that will only be enough if other results go their way, including Bangladesh losing to Nepal, and if they can pull off a significant NRR swing.
It’s unlikely but not impossible.
NEPAL (1 point | -0.293 NRR)
Eliminated: Their loss to the Netherlands made life tough and the no result with Sri Lanka further narrowed the progression path.
They gave it all in their contest against South Africa in St Vincent, but despite a brilliant fight by the Rhinos, they lost the game by one-run.
Though they cannot qualify, Nepal can still have a bearing on the eventual make-up of the Super Eight stage, as a win over Bangladesh can open up a chance for the Dutch to qualify.
SRI LANKA (1 point | -0.777 NRR)
Eliminated: Sri Lanka have no chance of qualifying after suffering two defeats and a washout in their three group games so far.
Even victory in their final match against the Netherlands wouldn’t be enough to see them catch Bangladesh in second place.
