What do Scotland and Ireland need to do progress to the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup? | Cricket News

October 20, 2022 admin

It’s all to play for in Group B of the T20 World Cup, with all four teams vying for the final two places in the Super 12s.

Sri Lanka and the Netherlands have already qualified, with Scotland, Ireland, Zimbabwe and the West Indies looking to join them.

All four teams in Group B sit on two points, with one loss and one win each. Scotland are top on net run rate, with Zimbabwe sitting in second and Ireland bottom.

Ireland will need to beat the West Indies in Hobart to stand any chance of going through, while Scotland and Zimbabwe face the same equation at the same ground in the final game.

West Indies bounced back from the shock defeat they suffered against Scotland on October 17 and got the better of Zimbabwe with a 31-run win.

Ireland pulled of a stunning comeback to beat Scotland, after losing their opening match against Zimbabwe.

The situation is simple for all four teams, win and they are through, lose and they go home. The manner of any victory will decide where the two qualifiers finish in the group, with net run rate determining the final standings.

The team in first position (currently Scotland) will join India and Pakistan in Group 2, while second place will go into England’s and Australia’s group.

There is rain forecast in Australia on Friday evening, but this shouldn’t impact the final qualifying matches, with sunny weather expected during the day.

If rain were to wash out both matches, Scotland and Zimbabwe would go through on net run rate, with the West Indies and Ireland heading home.

Scotland featured in the Super 12 stage of last year’s T20 World Cup and with the win over West Indies, they have shown that last year’s performances weren’t a one-off.

Richie Berrington’s side should have enough to beat Zimbabwe but the African side should not be underestimated, having impressed in their first two matches. All-rounder Sikandar Raza’s performance could hold the key.

The Pakistan-born all-rounder scored a 48-ball 82 against Ireland in the first game and then picked up three wickets for just 19 runs against West Indies.

The West Indies recovered well from their loss against Scotland but will need to improve their batting display against Ireland, who successfully chased down 177 runs in their second match.

Watch West Indies vs Ireland (5am start) and Scotland versus Zimbabwe (9am start) live on Sky Sports Cricket on Friday as the final two spots in the T20 World Cup Super 12 will be decided.

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