New Zealand lose to West Indies, but can Black Caps still reach Super 8 at T20 World Cup? Yes, with lot of help

New Zealand lost to the West Indies by 13 runs in their group stage clash at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad in the ongoing T20 World Cup. It’s a result that seals the co-hosts’ entry into the Super 8s and leaves the Black Caps almost eliminated. Almost.

Yes, despite the Black Caps suffering their second defeat in two games in the Group C, which leaves the team at the bottom of the five-team standings with zero points and a NRR of -2.425, New Zealand still have two games in hand against Uganda and Papua New Guinea.

Mathematically, New Zealand are still not out of the contention for securing a spot in the Super 8 stage where only two teams from each group will progress. In Group C, co-hosts West Indies have already secured the top spot with three wins in three games.

How New Zealand can still qualify for the Super 8

New Zealand now need several things to go in their favour if they are to stand a chance to qualify.

New Zealand will have to pray that somehow Afghanistan — who are currently claiming the second spot in the Group C standings thanks to two wins from two games, including over New Zealand, and a net run rate of 5.225 — lose their remaining two games. This is the tricky part because the high-flying Afghan team meets Papua New Guinea in one of those two games. If they somehow lose that, New Zealand will still have a shot. But if Afghanistan win that game tomorrow morning, it’s game over for New Zealand. Even if that game gets rained out, New Zealand are out. Afghanistan also play a match against West Indies, which might be a tough contest favouring the hosts for the moment.

Now coming to New Zealand’s own games, they will have to win their two remaining matches — against Uganda and PNG — by heavy margins. The margins they need to win by will depend on how bad Afghanistan’s losses are in their two games (if they lose that is).

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