What must happen for SA to reach T20 World Cup semifinal
Image: ISURU SAMEERA PEIRIS/GALLO IMAGES
With one match remaining in the group stages of the ICC T20 World Cup, the prospect of SA qualifying for the semifinal stage is not entirely in their own hands.
The Proteas take on tournament favourites England on Saturday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium where even victory could result in them crashing out of the tournament.
As things stood in group 1 on Thursday, SA were sitting in second spot with six points from four matches and a net run rate of 0.742 and faced with the prospect of having to beat England and hope for the best.
After they lost their opening match against Australia, the Proteas bounced back strongly with wins over the West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to remain in contention for the semifinals but they are still not masters of their fate.
Looking at other permutations, the Proteas could theoretically lose their last match and still make it to the semifinals but they would be relying heavily on other results and the hope that the net run rate (NRR) remains in their favour.
Conversely, they could win their remaining match and still not make the next stage with the possibility of all three teams — England, Australia and themselves — finishing on eight points.
SA’s NRR is +0.742, which should see them through if they win, with Australia (-0.627) and West Indies (-1.598) needing to leapfrog them.
The possible scenario for SA is that winning their last match should see them through to the next round while losing it could result in them exiting the tournament.
