Bangladesh’s semifinal hopes hang by a thread after West Indies defeat

The qualification scenario for the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is beginning to take shape.
Thursday’s crunch game between West Indies and Bangladesh had a big impact on the qualification permutations at the Women’s T20 World Cup. For the Tigresses, their decade-long wait for a T20 World Cup win was overshadowed by two heavy losses, leaving their semi-final hopes hanging by a thread despite an upcoming must-win clash against South Africa on Saturday.
Here’s how the two groups are shaping up, with some big matches on the horizon.
Australia (4 points | +2.524 NRR)
Alyssa Healy’s side are favourites to win the tournament and showed just why they are ranked number one in the world with a demolition of New Zealand in their second match.
The six-time champions are two from two and could effectively seal their place in the semi-finals with victory over Pakistan next up.
India (4 points | +0.576 NRR)
India’s hammering of Sri Lanka has given them a big chance of reaching the semi-finals even after their disappointing opening loss to New Zealand.
The huge net run rate boost that Harmanpreet Kaur’s side gained in their win on Wednesday means that they may not need to beat Australia in their final group fixture, depending on results elsewhere.
But even if they do need a win over the defending champions, it is now highly unlikely to be by a significant margin, as had looked possible prior to their trouncing of Sri Lanka in Dubai.
Pakistan (2 points | +0.555 NRR)
Pakistan’s opening-day win over Sri Lanka blew this group wide open and they remain in contention to qualify for the semi-finals despite the disappointing loss to India in their second match.
Fatima Sana’s side will need another win, and their meeting with New Zealand that concludes the group could well decide the final shake-up.
New Zealand (2 points | -0.050 NRR)
The White Ferns have gone from boom to bust in their opening two matches, delivering a statement performance to beat India in their opening game, before slipping to a demoralising loss against Australia.
The 60-run margin of defeat against their neighbours saw New Zealand undo their net run rate advantage, but they remain firmly in contention to qualify for the knockout stage, with matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan still to come.
Sri Lanka (0 points | -2.564 NRR)
Sri Lanka were one of the form teams coming into this tournament and had enjoyed victories against a host of higher-ranked nations in the last 18 months.
And so the failure to compete in Group A will be hugely frustrating for Chamari Athapaththu and her side.
Confidence was in short supply in Wednesday’s third defeat to India, a result that means Sri Lanka are unable to make it out of the group, and they will round off their campaign against New Zealand on Saturday.
Remaining fixtures in Group A
Australia v Pakistan – Friday 11 October (18:00 local time), Dubai International Cricket Stadium
New Zealand v Sri Lanka – Saturday 12 October (14:00 local time), Sharjah Cricket Stadium
India v Australia – Sunday 13 October (18:00 local time), Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Pakistan v New Zealand – Monday 14 October (18:00 local time), Dubai International Cricket Stadium
West Indies (4 points | +1.708 NRR)
The West Indies are a dangerous proposition when they click with the bat, and have the top-order power to take down the best in the world.
Defeat to South Africa in their opening match was a huge setback for their qualification hopes, and yet the power game of Hayley Matthews’ side has seen them blast back into contention with two mammoth wins over Scotland and Bangladesh.
England await in their last group match – a fixture that closes Group B – and West Indies will know precisely what they need before a ball is bowled. It is yet possible that they could even progress with a defeat against the English, should Bangladesh beat South Africa, such is the superiority of their NRR.
South Africa (4 points | +1.527)
South Africa’s crushing win over Scotland gives them a huge boost in search of a qualifying spot for the semi-finals.
The margin of that victory means the Proteas have the best NRR in the group, and leaves them in a strong position despite the loss to England.
A win over Bangladesh in their final game may well be enough, barring further dramatic NRR swings.
England (4 points | +0.653 NRR)
England are in control of Group B after starting their campaign with two wins, including victory over South Africa in a rematch of the 2023 semi-final.
Heather Knight’s side will be confident of qualifying from this position and one more win could be enough.
Bangladesh (2 points | -0.835 NRR)
Bangladesh ended a decade-long wait for a win at an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the tournament opener against Scotland.
But that result feels a long time ago after two straight losses, including a heavy defeat to West Indies that will likely be terminal to the Tigresses hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals.
Such is their net run rate disadvantage in the group that even an enormous margin of victory against South Africa – a team they have beaten just twice in 14 total meetings – could be insufficient.
Scotland (0 points | -2.671 NRR) – Unable to qualify
Scotland are making their first-ever appearance at an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and have showed flashes of quality in their three defeats.
But zero points with one game remaining means that Scotland are already guaranteed to end their campaign at the group stage, even if they were to pull off a huge upset and beat England in their fourth and final match.
Remaining fixtures in Group B
Bangladesh v South Africa – Saturday 12 October (18:00 local time), Dubai International Cricket Stadium
England v Scotland – Sunday 13 October (14:00 local time), Sharjah Cricket Stadium
England v West Indies – Tuesday 15 October (18:00 local time), Dubai International Cricket Stadium