With the action of the Champions Trophy heating up, let’s have a look at where the teams in Group B stand with regards to progressing through to the semi-finals.
Group B
| Pos | Team | Matches | W | L | N/R | Tied | N/RR | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 4 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0.00 | 0 | -0.79 | 2 |
 1 | India | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0.00 | 0 | 1.37 | 4 |
 2 | Pakistan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0.00 | 0 | -0.68 | 4 |
 3 | South Africa | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.16 | 2 |
India – Pre-tournament favourites and defending champions India’s plans were derailed by an inspired Sri Lankan fightback in their Group B encounter this Thursday, splitting the group wide open. With this their game against South Africa becomes a make or break encounter with the team that manages to come out on top tomorrow (11th) moving to the semi-finals.
South Africa – South Africa were dealt a blow of their own when rain and a spirited Pakistani performance saw them falling to the lowest ranked team of the tournament. As mentioned before, the India-South Africa game will function as a virtual quarterfinal, with the team that wins going through to the semis.
Apart from this, whichever team that wins this game is also most likely to finish the Group stage at the top of the standings and face the No. 2 team from Group A (England/Australia/Bangladesh) in the semis while if the game ends in a no-result, India will go through as a result of their superior net run-rate.
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Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka surprised many with their composed yet thrilling chase against mighty India last Thursday and will be glad that they are left having to face Pakistan, the lowest ranked team in the tournament, in their final group game. Another virtual quarter-final is on the cards and Sri Lanka will fancy their chances against an unpredictable Pakistani unit.
Pakistan – The 1st upset of the tournament saw Pakistan, who had quite frankly been abysmal against India, topple world number 1 South Africa, to bolster not only their chances but Sri Lanka’s chances of qualification as well. On Monday they will face a Sri Lankan team riding high after their victory against India, in a must win game.
With the net run-rates as they are, whoever wins the Pakistan-Sri Lanka clash is likely to finish as No. 2 in the group while if the game ends in a no-result, Sri Lanka will go through via net run-rate.
If both games are washed out, India and South Africa will go through to the semi-finals.
