Women’s T20 World Cup State of Play: How each team stands in the race for semi-final spots

All ten teams have now played two matches at the Women’s T20 World Cup. Here’s how the two groups are shaping up, with some big matches on the horizon.

Group A

Australia (4 points | +2.524 NRR)

Alyssa Healy’s side are favourites to win the tournament and showed just why they are ranked number one in the world with a demolition of New Zealand in their second match.

The six-time champions are two from two and could effectively seal their place in the semi-finals with victory over Pakistan next up.

Pakistan (2 points | +0.555 NRR)

Pakistan’s opening-day win over Sri Lanka blew this group wide open and they remain in contention to qualify for the semi-finals despite the disappointing loss to India in their second match.

Fatima Sana’s side will need another win, and their meeting with New Zealand that concludes the group could well decide the final shake-up.

New Zealand (2 points | -0.050 NRR)

The White Ferns have gone from boom to bust in their opening two matches, delivering a statement performance to beat India in their opening game, before slipping to a demoralising loss against Australia.

The 60-run margin of defeat against their neighbours saw New Zealand undo their net run rate advantage, but they remain firmly in contention to qualify for the knockout stage, with matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan still to come.

India (2 points | -1.217 NRR)

The loss to New Zealand in their opening match has left India vulnerable, although they do have points on the board thanks to their win over neighbours Pakistan last time out.

India will need at least one more win and quite possibly two, and would benefit from a positive net run rate swing.

Sri Lanka (0 points | - 1.667 NRR)

Sri Lanka were one of the form teams coming into this tournament and have enjoyed victories over a host of higher-ranked nations in the last 18 months.

But two defeats from two leaves Chamari Athapaththu’s side with no breathing room. They will need to win each of their remaining matches (against India and New Zealand) and ideally win one of those by enough of a margin to boost their NRR.

Remaining fixtures in Group A

India v Sri Lanka – Wednesday 9 October (18:00 local time), Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Australia v Pakistan – Friday 11 October (18:00 local time), Dubai International Cricket Stadium

New Zealand v Sri Lanka – Saturday 12 October (14:00 local time), Sharjah Cricket Stadium

India v Australia – Sunday 13 October (18:00 local time), Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Pakistan v New Zealand – Monday 14 October (18:00 local time), Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Group B

England (4 points | +0.653 NRR)

England are in control of Group B after starting their campaign with two wins, including victory over South Africa in a rematch of the 2023 semi-final.

Heather Knight’s side will be confident of qualifying from this position and one more win could be enough.

West Indies (2 points | +1.154 NRR)

The ICC Rankings suggest that West Indies and South Africa are the likeliest contenders to join England in the semi-finals from Group B, and it was the Proteas who triumphed when the two met in their opening match.

But the crushing nature of West Indies’ win over Scotland in their second match has given them a huge net run rate boost which could yet prove highly significant.

Hayley Matthews’ side will likely need a win over Bangladesh to stand a chance of qualification, and they could know what they require when they face England in their final group game.

South Africa (2 points | +0.245 NRR)

South Africa’s win over West Indies will give them great confidence of reaching the semi-finals, despite a disappointing loss to England in their second group game.

Laura Wolvaardt has been in sparkling form at the top of the order, and the Proteas will know that wins in their final two group games against Scotland and Bangladesh could well be sufficient.

Bangladesh (2 points | -0.125 NRR)

Bangladesh ended a decade-long wait for a win at an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the tournament opener against Scotland, and the Tigresses showed some quality in defeat to England in their second match of the opening week.

The team’s qualification hopes were always likely to hinge on their results against West Indies and South Africa, and those are their final two opponents in Group B.

Scotland (0 points | -1.897 NRR)

Scotland are making their first-ever appearance at an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and have shown flashes of quality so far in the group.

But with games against South Africa and England still to come, it would take an unprecedented turnaround for the Scots to extend their stay in the tournament beyond the four group fixtures.

Remaining fixtures in Group B

South Africa v Scotland – Wednesday 9 October (14:00 local time), Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Bangladesh v West Indies – Thursday 10 October (18:00 local time), Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Bangladesh v South Africa – Saturday 12 October (18:00 local time), Dubai International Cricket Stadium

England v Scotland – Sunday 13 October (14:00 local time), Sharjah Cricket Stadium

England v West Indies – Tuesday 15 October (18:00 local time), Dubai International Cricket Stadium

The T20 World Cup will see 23 matches held in total over 18 days, with all matches in the two host cities of Dubai and Sharjah.

Fans can purchase tickets online or directly at the stadiums, for more information on where to buy click here.