ISLAMABAD: Despite the Pakistan cricket team’s dismal performance in this year’s T20 World Cup, the green shirts have a slight chance of qualifying for the semifinals of the tournament, provided they beat South Africa in Sydney on Thursday. 

After two consecutive losses to India and Zimbabwe, both coming off the last ball for the 2009 World Cup winners, Pakistan are on the brink of exiting the Super 12 stage of the tournament. 

However, Babar Azam’s side can still dream of qualifying for the final four stage of the tournament. For one, they must beat the Proteas in a do-or-die clash on Thursday at the Sydney Cricket Ground and then vanquish Bangladesh on November 6. 

The maximum number of points that Pakistan can collect from the Super 12 stage now are 6 (they already have two from their win over the Netherlands). 

India are currently in pole position in Group 2 with six points [one match remaining] while South Africa sit at number 2 with five points [two matches remaining, one against Pakistan] while Bangladesh are at number three in the group with four points [one remaining match, that too against Pakistan]. 

Pakistan needs either the Netherlands, Zimbabwe or the weather to do them a favor in the next couple of matches. 

If Pakistan defeats South Africa, then it would need either India or South Africa to drop points in their final games. A loss for either side, or a no result for South Africa, would give Pakistan the chance to beat Bangladesh and become one of the top two teams in Group 2. 

However, the chances of that happening are slim as South Africa face minnows Netherlands on Sunday, November 6, while India faces a much weaker side, Zimbabwe, on the same day. 

Pakistan could overtake India on net run rate or finish higher than South Africa on the points table, courtesy of having more wins, should rain wash away the Proteas’ match against the Netherlands on Sunday. 

However, Pakistan skipper Azam admitted last week after his team lost to Zimbabwe that their chances of advancing in the tournament were really slim. 

“To be honest, it’s hard (to qualify now),” Azam had said.