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Rohit Sharma-led Team India are in their purple patch as they registered their second straight win in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, beating the defending champions and hosts Pakistan by six wickets at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23. With this, they comfortable replaced New Zealand at the top of the Group A points table as they set their eyes on semi-finals berth of the marquee tournament.
While it was the second straight defeat for Pakistan after earlier going down against New Zealand by 60-run margin. Moreover, with this defeat, while they neared the chances of making an exit from the tournament, they will require a miracle to make it to the second round.
How can India qualify for semi-finals without playing vs New Zealand?
Although, India’s chances to progress further in the competition are more or less clear, but they also stand a chance to confirm the qualification without even playing against New Zealand in their final group stage match. As the Mitchell Santner-led side are taking on Bangladesh in their second match in Rawalpindi, a win will not only boost their chances, but also add to India’s qualifcation.
But with India scheduled to take on New Zeakand in their final match on March 2, a win for Kiwi against Bangladesh will also get them to four points, joining India in the semi-final qualification. As a result, neither Bangladesh nor Pakistan can fetch four points and will have to bow out of the tournament.
This implies that the India versus New Zealand game will be a dead rubber but both teams would aim to finish at the top of the points table which will decide who will they play from Group A standings.
