By NSB.News Desk
The 49th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super-8 stage between England cricket team and New Zealand cricket team will be played on February 27 in Colombo. While England have already secured a place in the semifinals, this match is crucial for New Zealand, who need a win to confirm their spot in the last four.
However, rain could play spoilsport in Sri Lanka, raising concerns among fans about what would happen if the match gets washed out — and whether it could benefit Pakistan national cricket team.
Who Benefits If ENG vs NZ Is Washed Out?
The qualification equation is quite clear for New Zealand and Pakistan.If New Zealand win this match, they will directly qualify for the semifinals.
In that scenario, Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the semifinals would end even before their final Super-8 fixture against Sri Lanka.
Even if the England vs New Zealand match is abandoned due to rain, New Zealand are likely to seal a semifinal berth based on points and superior net run rate. Several matches in Sri Lanka have already been affected by rain in this tournament, so Pakistan will be hoping for clear skies to keep their slim chances alive.
Colombo Weather Forecast During the Match
According to AccuWeather, there is a slight chance of rain during match hours in Colombo.
At 7:00 PM local time, the probability of rain is around 7%.From 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM, the rain probability remains at approximately 7%.
Although the percentage is low, even brief showers could interrupt play. Fans and players alike will hope for uninterrupted action and a full 40-over contest at R. Premadasa Stadium.
How Can Pakistan Still Reach the Semifinals?
England have already qualified for the semifinals after winning their first two Super-8 matches.
New Zealand significantly boosted their net run rate to +3.050 after a 61-run victory over Sri Lanka. To advance, the Kiwis now only need to avoid a heavy defeat against England.
On the other hand, Pakistan’s net run rate stands at -0.461 following their loss to England. For Pakistan to qualify:
England must defeat New Zealand by a big margin.Pakistan must then beat Sri Lanka convincingly to improve their net run rate.
Only a combination of these results can keep Pakistan’s semifinal hopes alive. Otherwise, New Zealand will move ahead, regardless of whether the match ends in a result or is washed out.
