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T20 World Cup 2026 is now slowly moving towards its decisive stage. The group stage of the tournament has been completed, out of which 8 teams have reached the next round i.e. Super-8. Now this round will decide the 4 teams of the semi-finals. But the start of this round was not good and the first match itself was canceled due to rain. The match between New Zealand and Pakistan remained inconclusive due to rain in Colombo. This has raised a question that if all the 12 matches of any one group or Super-8 are cancelled, then which four teams will get a place in the semi-finals?

Threat of rain on Group-2 matches

For this, ICC has made some special rules, which we tell you further. First of all, know that in the Super-8 round, the teams have been divided into 2 groups of 4-4, from which 2-2 teams will reach the semi-finals. For this, a total of 12 matches are to be played in both the groups. Group-1 includes India, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe. Whereas in Group-2 there are Sri Lanka, England, New Zealand and Pakistan. first match Pakistan and New Zealand Which was canceled without even a single ball being played and both the teams got 1-1 point.

Like the New Zealand-Pakistan match, all the matches of Group 2 will be played in Sri Lanka, especially in Colombo. There is a possibility of rain there in the coming days also. In such a situation, it will not be surprising if other matches of this group are also cancelled. But if this happens, some team is sure to gain and someone else will suffer loss. Whatever matches are completed, the team that wins them will be in advantage. One of the teams whose matches were cancelled, will suffer a loss. But if all the matches of this group are cancelled, then how will it be decided who will go to the semi-finals?

What do ICC rules say?

For this, ICC had already made all the arrangements in the playing conditions of the tournament. In this, different conditions have been given for qualification beyond the group and Super-8 rounds-

First the decision will be taken on the basis of points. If the points are equal, then the team winning more matches in the Super-8 round will advance. If the number of matches won is equal then the decision will be taken on the basis of net run rate. If even the net run-rate could not separate the two teams, then the winner of the match between the two teams will qualify. Now if the match itself is cancelled, this condition itself ends. In such a situation, the decision will be taken on the basis of ICC T20 ranking of 6th February.

Who is in the semi-finals, who is out?

Now if all the matches of Group-2 are cancelled, then all four teams will have 3-3 points. In such a situation, the decision will be taken on the basis of ICC ranking and England and New Zealand will have the advantage here. A day before the start of the tournament, i.e. on 6 February, England was at third place in the ICC rankings, while New Zealand was at fourth place. Whereas Pakistan was at sixth place and Sri Lanka at eighth place.

According to this, England and New Zealand will reach the semi-finals, while Pakistan and host Sri Lanka will be out. Similarly, if all the matches of Group-1 are also cancelled, then according to the ranking, India (Rank 1) and South Africa (Rank 5) will reach the semi-finals, while West Indies (Rank 7) and Zimbabwe (Rank 12) will be out of the tournament.

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