The semi-final scenario in Group E
What the four teams in Group E need to do to qualify for the ICC World Twenty20 2010 semi-finals
Cricinfo staff
09-May-2010
With one game left for each team in the Super Eights, all four teams in group E are in the hunt for the two semi-final slots. Here are the permutations for how the teams can make it.
Pakistan (points 0, net run-rate -0.215)
They need to beat South Africa, and then hope that England beat New Zealand later in the day. If both the matches go down Pakistan's desired route, they will be level on two points along with New Zealand and South Africa, and they will also have the best net run-rate of the three.
They need to beat South Africa, and then hope that England beat New Zealand later in the day. If both the matches go down Pakistan's desired route, they will be level on two points along with New Zealand and South Africa, and they will also have the best net run-rate of the three.
South Africa (points 2, net run-rate -0.650)
They can't sneak in based on net run-rate, because they are the worst among the three right now. They will need to beat Pakistan and then hope that England beat New Zealand. If New Zealand win, South Africa will most likely be out, unless they beat Pakistan by a mammoth margin, and New Zealand win very narrowly.
They can't sneak in based on net run-rate, because they are the worst among the three right now. They will need to beat Pakistan and then hope that England beat New Zealand. If New Zealand win, South Africa will most likely be out, unless they beat Pakistan by a mammoth margin, and New Zealand win very narrowly.
New Zealand (points 2, net run-rate -0.3)
A defeat will send them home. If South Africa win the first match, they will have gone to four points, and New Zealand will have to win to come level on points, and then their better net run-rate should carry them through. If Pakistan win, New Zealand know they can't afford to lose because that loss will leave them level with Pakistan at two points, but Pakistan will have a better net run-rate.
A defeat will send them home. If South Africa win the first match, they will have gone to four points, and New Zealand will have to win to come level on points, and then their better net run-rate should carry them through. If Pakistan win, New Zealand know they can't afford to lose because that loss will leave them level with Pakistan at two points, but Pakistan will have a better net run-rate.
England (points 4, net run rate +1.176)
They are, quite obviously, the safest bet to make the cut. For them to be knocked out, New Zealand will have to beat them by 30 or more runs, and South Africa will have to beat Pakistan by 43 or more runs. Then New Zealand and South Africa will both have higher net run rates than England. Even without Kevin Pietersen, that's an unlikely scenario.
They are, quite obviously, the safest bet to make the cut. For them to be knocked out, New Zealand will have to beat them by 30 or more runs, and South Africa will have to beat Pakistan by 43 or more runs. Then New Zealand and South Africa will both have higher net run rates than England. Even without Kevin Pietersen, that's an unlikely scenario.