Colombo: To be or not to be the question must have to be applied on present condition of Twenty20 World Cup 2012 Super 8 phase.
Pakistan has convincingly defeated Australia by 32 run, but still it has to rely on match of India and South Africa.
The possible scenarios as discussed in one of the The News Tribe’s analysis are as follow:
Best Case: We Win They Lose
Although we could not do that ourselves, we would not be less pleased if South Africa could do it on our behalf. All we would have to do is to beat Australia first if it is not too much an ask. Simply put, if Pakistan wins and India loses on Tuesday, Australia and we would qualify for the semis without even considering the last column, i.e. the run rate.
Next Case: Win-Win Situation. Really?
If both Pakistan and India manage to defeat Aussies and Proteas respectively then this would be a win-win situation for arch rivals, but only apparently. Why apparently? Because in this case there will be three contenders from Group 2 for the two Semi Final slots each having six points. So it would be the run rate which will decide the fortune and Aussies have a clear edge here with two heavy wins in their kitty. Once again, the contest will be between India and Pakistan, however, off the cricket pitch.
In case, this is becoming too complex skip the previous paragraph, here is a simpler version.
If both Pakistan and India win on October 2, Pakistan’s margin of victory needs to be equal or wider than that of India to get through to the next level. Existing run rates of both the teams are too close – Pakistan (-ve) 0.426 vs India (-ve) 0.452 – and even a single run can turn the table.
Those three dot balls which Virat Kohli played in the 17th over against Saeed Ajmal – in the pursuit of a finishing sixer and the attached glory – could play a vital role if this scenario materializes!
Choker’s Case: Game On for Proteas
The biggest beneficiary of Pakistan’s defeat yesterday after Dhoni is De Villers whose team is right back in the tournament although with a thin chance. This chance can only open up further if both Pakistan and Inida lose their next group encounters. Even in this case, Pakistan has a slight chance should they fight till the very end and so does India to the effect that South Africa would be unable to improve their run rate to match that of Pakistan.
So if Pakistan loses against Australia – provided with a very thin margin – Pakistani fans will face a dilemma for the later contest on the same pitch. They would support Proteas but would not want India to give up completely!
By the way this is not the first time when South Africans would decide the fate of other teams rather than their own.
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