Group 2 scenarios: What do India, Afghanistan and New Zealand have to do to make the semi-finals?

After the loss to New Zealand, India’s fate is out of their own hands, even if they win their three remaining games

New Zealand
Played: 2, Points: 2, NRR: 0.765, Remaining matches: vs Scotland, Namibia, Afghanistan

The run chase in 14.3 overs against India means New Zealand’s NRR has improved to 0.765. If they win their remaining games they will qualify regardless of other results. Among their three remaining opponents Afghanistan is easily the toughest, and if they lose that game they could still miss out on qualification, depending on other results. And the schedule for their next three games isn’t the easiest: they play day games with a one-day gap at three different venues – against Scotland in Dubai on November 3, against Namibia in Sharjah on November 5, and against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on November 7.

Afghanistan
Played: 3, Points: 4, NRR: 3.097, Remaining matches: vs India, New Zealand

Afghanistan have done their best to maximise the gains from their matches against Scotland and Namibia, which is why their NRR is sitting pretty at 3.097. The two remaining games for them are against two of the bigger teams, India and New Zealand. If they win both, they will qualify. If they lose to India and beat New Zealand, then run rates will probably come into play. Afghanistan’s schedule could be an advantage: they beat Namibia in Abu Dhabi, and they stay there for their last two games as well.

India
Played: 2, Points: 0, NRR: -1.609, Remaining matches: vs Afghanistan, Scotland, Namibia

India’s only chance now is to win their three remaining games, and then hope that New Zealand and Afghanistan lose at least one of their remaining games. Then, NRRs could come into play. Even on that front, India have plenty of work to do – their defeat against New Zealand has pushed their NRR down to -1.609.