After South Africa setback, India face must-win clash against Bangladesh for semifinal hopes

India’s six-wicket defeat to South Africa earlier this week has made Thursday’s clash against Bangladesh at Old Trafford crucial to their semifinal hopes in the Women’s T20 World Cup.

Australia are unbeaten at the top while India, South Africa and Bangladesh are locked on four points each. India’s superior net run rate is keeping them in second place for now but a defeat to Bangladesh will leave them needing to beat Australia in their final league match and depend on other results.With two league matches remaining, the margin for error has narrowed sharply. The simplest route for India is to win both their remaining games, starting with Bangladesh.

A win on Thursday will keep them ahead in the race for the second semifinal spot.However, if India beat Bangladesh but lose to Australia in their final group game, they will need South Africa to slip up in at least one of their remaining fixtures against Netherlands and Bangladesh. In that scenario, net run rate could become decisive.While the team management works through the qualification possibilities, the players must first recover from a morale-sapping defeat to South Africa and address some glaring concerns. The opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma have largely delivered, but the middle order remains a worry. Yastika Bhatia has struggled at No. 3. Her lack of runs has drawn attention, especially since Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur have both moved down the order to accommodate her in that role.

Australia beat Pakistan to stay unbeaten

Leeds : Ellyse Perry starred as Australia moved closer to the Women’s T20 World Cup semifinals with a113-run rout of lacklustre Pakistan. Perry smashed 71 off 48 in Australia’s innings of 199-7 and took two wickets to help dismiss Pakistan for just 86. Six-time T20 World Cup winners Australia have won all four of their group matches.