The Indian cricket team faced a huge setback in their opening T20 World Cup 2021 match, facing a 10-wicket defeat to Pakistan on Sunday. The nature of the defeat has also done India’s Net Run Rate huge damage that could impact the team’s chances of semi-finals qualification. Aakash Chopra, reflecting on the qualification scenario of group-2, said that Pakistan will do Virat Kohli & Co. a huge favour if they beat New Zealand on Tuesday.
In their second Group-2 fixture of the campaign, Pakistan take on New Zealand with the hopes of making it two wins in two. A possible victory over the Kiwis, however, will also boost India’s chances of qualification.
Explaining the same, Chopra said in a video posted on his YouTube channel: “I feel Pakistan will help India if they defeat New Zealand. But if it happens the other way round, New Zealand beats Pakistan, it can be a three-way tie, the net run rate story can come if India beats New Zealand and assuming the three teams win their remaining matches.”
“If Pakistan beat New Zealand, then only Afghanistan will be there in between and two teams who have come from the qualifiers – Scotland and Namibia. Then Pakistan through, make your place in the semi-finals and enjoy,” he further explained.
The Pakistan vs New Zealand showdown is also a contest that is bound to see the Men in Green being extra motivated. The Kiwis had recently pulled out of a series against Pakistan citing a security threat. Babar Azam & Co. were left quite infuriated with New Zealand’s decision to withdraw from the series at the 11th hour.
Chopra, hence, feels the match against the Blackcaps will be a sort of ‘grudge match’ for Pakistan.
“It is slightly a grudge match because Pakistan felt very humiliated when New Zealand went there and returned without giving any reason. So I feel Pakistan may have a point to prove.”
Having witnessed Pakistan’s performance against India, Chopra was full of praise for Babar’s side.
“Pakistan is the team on song. They are playing like that, top three were anyway playing well and these conditions are going to suit Hafeez and Shoaib Malik a lot. They are bowling well. The team is looking formidable.”
At present, India are 5th in the points table, with zero points and a net run rate of -0.973. Afghanistan are presently sitting top of Group 2 with a NRR of +6.500. Pakistan are second with +0.973.
