Can India and Pakistan qualify for Under-19 World Cup semis? Scenarios explained

IND-PAK U19 World Cup semis qualification scenario [Source: X]

The Under-19 World Cup has reached its business end, with the stakes high and teams fighting to reach the semifinals of the marquee tournament. One of the favourites to lift the World Cup, Australia, has already qualified for the semis, and England are almost through to the next round.

From Group 2, England has one foot in the semis, and only one of India and Pakistan can advance to the next round, with India currently the overwhelming favourite. However, don't count Pakistan out as the team needs a miracle, but they still can make it through and here's the scenario.

U-19 World Cup semis qualification scenario for IND-PAK

India and Pakistan will collide in the last game of the Super Sixes on Sunday, February 1, and it could potentially decide the second semifinalists. At the moment, India are better placed with six points and a solid net run-rate of 3.337, while Pakistan has a net run-rate of 1.484, which is inferior to India’s.

A victory against Pakistan will take India through to the semis, but for Pakistan, they don’t just have to win the match, but have to do it by a huge margin.

If Pakistan bat first and posts 300 runs, then they need to beat India by 85 runs. In case the team bowls first and restricts India to 200, then the side needs to chase down the total inside 31.5 overs. In case the target is 251, the Men in Green have to reach the target inside 33.2 overs. The target looks tricky, but Pakistan has no other choice left.

Can both India and Pakistan reach the semis?

Currently, England are the strong favourites to reach the semifinals from Group B, and one of India and Pakistan can join them in the next round. However, there is a slim chance that both the Asian sides could upset England and reach the semis.

The Three Lions will play their last Super 8 game against New Zealand, and if the Kiwis beat England, and Pakistan defeat India, then all three teams will have 6 points each, and the NRR could decide the outcome of the group.

Does Pakistan have the firepower to beat India on Sunday?

Pakistan does have a mountain to climb on Sunday, but the team does have the firepower to stage an upset against the undefeated Indian team.

It is to be noted that the last time these two teams collided (in the Asia Cup final), Pakistan dismantled the Men in Blue as the Pakistan squad won the game by a whopping 191 runs. 

Even though India has been undefeated in the ongoing Under-19 World Cup, the team has looked vulnerable in patches, especially against Bangladesh in the group stage. Their batters have blown hot and cold, and the Pakistan side does have the bowlers to take advantage of the situation, and they'll have to repeat their Asia Cup finale performance to reach the semis.