ISLAMABAD: India beat the United States by seven wickets on Wednesday to qualify for the second round of the T20 World Cup 2024, with their victory meaning Pakistan remain alive in the mega event. 

According to the points table, India are at the top with six points from three matches while the USA is at number two with four points. Pakistan is placed at number three with two points while Canada is at four with two points while bottom-placed Ireland are yet to open their account in the tournament. 

Pakistan, who notched their first win of the T20 World Cup 2024 against Canada on Tuesday night in New York, need the US to lose their remaining match against Ireland. Skipper Babar Azam’s side, who lost to the US and India in their opening two matches of the World Cup, also need India to beat Canada on June 15 to stand a chance in the tournament.

If the US wins even one more point, Pakistan’s journey in the World Cup will come to an abrupt end in the first stage. Even one match affected by rain would spell the end for Pakistan, as the US requires only one point to move to the second round.

“Being in the Super Eight is a big relief,” Indian skipper Rohit Sharma said at the post-match conference. “Playing here wasn’t easy, could’ve been anyone’s game. Had to stick till the end and take the game as deep as possible.”

Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav scored an unbeaten half-century as Arshdeep Singh took a career best 4-9 to steer India to a win. 

Pakistan face Ireland on Sunday, June 16, in a do-or-die World Cup clash. The green shirts have been subjected to immense criticism following their poor performance in the mega tournament. 

Pakistan’s new white-ball coach Gary Kirsten last week bluntly said the green shirts needed to evolve if they wanted to live up to the standards of international cricket.

“I think for me the most important thing for every international player is that you continue growing and developing as a player, and understanding what the demands of international competition are,” Kirsten said at the post-match conference after Pakistan lost to India on Sunday.

“The game is changing pretty much every year. So, if you’re not up to it and you’re not improving, you’re going to get found out somewhere.”