How Can Pakistan Still Qualify For Champions Trophy Semifinal After Defeat Vs India?

Pakistan are almost out of Champions Trophy [Source: AP]

Pakistan sustained their rough patch in the Champions Trophy, as they incurred their second consecutive defeat in the tournament. After losing their opening encounter against New Zealand, the Mohammad Rizwan-led side was crushed by a rampant Indian team in Dubai. 

Pakistan's semifinal chances are almost over, as they rely on a miracle to stay alive in the competition. Although they are most probably out of the tournament, mathematically the Men in Green can still enter the next round, as mentioned below. 

Can Pakistan Enter Champions Trophy Semifinal?

Final result of suitable winner combination: IND-3, PAK-1, NZ-1, BAN-1

Final result of unsuitable winner combination: IND-2, PAK-0, NZ-3, BAN-1

As shown in the above table, Pakistan would support Bangladesh in their upcoming encounter against New Zealand. As India have already won two matches, Pakistan wouldn't want any of the remaining teams to secure more than one victory. 

Meanwhile, they must win their final group-stage clash against Bangladesh and would hope for an Indian victory by a huge margin in the last match of the first round against New Zealand. In this way, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Pakistan will finish the group stage with one win each, as the second semifinalist from group-A will be decided on Net Run Rate (NRR). 

On the contrary, if New Zealand defeat Bangladesh tomorrow, the rest of the matches will be irrelevant from Pakistan's perspective. In that case, New Zealand will secure their second win, confirming a semifinal berth along with India from group-A. 

---

ALSO READ

Usman In; Rizwan To Drop Shaheen Afridi? Pakistan’s Strongest XI For Champions Trophy Match vs BAN

---