The final round of Super Six matches at the Under 19 World Cup will determine the remaining semi final places, with qualification still live across both groups. Australia have already secured progression from Group 1, while England hold a strong position in Group 2.
Group 1
Australia have already secured top spot and will face the second placed team from Group 2 in the semi finals. The remaining qualification place comes down to Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
If Afghanistan beat Ireland, they will qualify on six points. Any win would keep their net run rate ahead of Sri Lanka’s -0.113. A defeat would leave Afghanistan on four points and send Sri Lanka through on six. With Ireland yet to register a win in the Super Six stage, Afghanistan are expected to secure the second semi final place.
Group 2
England sit in control after winning all three of their Super Six fixtures, including results carried forward from Group C against Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Their final match is against New Zealand on Friday. New Zealand have struggled throughout the tournament, suffering heavy defeats to India and Pakistan. An England victory would take them to eight points and confirm a semi final place.
The decisive fixture in the group is India versus Pakistan on Sunday. If England beat New Zealand, only one of those sides can qualify. India currently have six points and a net run rate of 3.337, while Pakistan sit on four points with a net run rate of 1.484.
Pakistan still have a path through. If they bat first and post 300, they would need to win by 85 runs to overhaul India’s net run rate. If they bowl first and restrict India to 200, they would need to reach the target in roughly 31.5 overs. A chase of 251 would need to be completed in about 33.2 overs. Those margins are demanding but remain possible, particularly given Pakistan’s 191 run win over India in last month’s Asia Cup final.
There is also a scenario where England, India and Pakistan all finish on six points. That would require New Zealand to defeat England, followed by a Pakistan win over India, leaving net run rate to decide the top two. Based on current form, England dropping points against New Zealand appears unlikely.
