Only two points and a slender net run rate difference separate the top five teams in the World Cup QualifierÂ
Is the West Indies v Scotland match a knockout?
The winner of the match is assured a spot in the final of the qualifier and therefore the 2019 World Cup. If Scotland lose, they are out of contention. If West Indies lose, they have to hope that Zimbabwe lose to UAE, on March 22, and the winner of Ireland v Afghanistan, on March 23, does not overtake them on net run-rate, or that game ends in a tie or no result.
What if the West Indies v Scotland game ends in a tie?
Then West Indies will go through with seven points. Scotland will have to hope that Zimbabwe lose to UAE and the Ireland v Afghanistan game ends in a tie or no result.
What do Zimbabwe have to do to qualify?
Simple, beat UAE. If Scotland beat West Indies, a loss against UAE will knock Zimbabwe out. If West Indies go through, a loss will all but knock Zimbabwe out. They will then have to hope the Ireland v Afghanistan ends in a tie or no result.
How can Ireland and Afghanistan qualify?
If Zimbabwe beat UAE, then neither can. If West Indies beat Scotland and UAE beat Zimbabwe, then Ireland v Afghanistan becomes a knockout game with the winner qualifying for the 2019 World Cup. If Scotland qualify and Zimbabwe lose, then Ireland and Afghanistan will have to make sure they win the match by a big enough margin to overtake West Indies’ net run-rate.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo