The Ireland vs Afghanistan game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday was abandoned due to rain. While the loss affects both teams’ chances to make it to the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022, other sides in the Group 1 have also taken a hit. 

Afghanistan have now been involved in two no-result games. Their fixture against New Zealand was abandoned too. Rashid Khan and co occupy the last spot in the group with two points. 

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New Zealand are the only unbeaten team in Group 1. They beat Australia by a massive 89-run margin and then had a washed out game vs Afghanistan. The Kiwis have scored three points so far and have a big edge in the Net Run Rate column. 

Sri Lanka, England and Australia have won one game and lost one each. They are placed (as per Net Run Rate) third, fourth and fifth. Ireland, with three points, are second. 

England’s loss against Ireland changed the face of the group. Now, Jos Butler and co face hosts Australia in Melbourne. The first game at the venue on Friday – Afghanistan vs Ireland – was washed out. The forecast for the second game is not promising either. 

If the game is abandoned, Australia – with the worst run rate in Group 1 – will look at a potential exit at the group stage. Even if the hosts win both their next games, against Ireland and Afghanistan, they will be relying on other results to go in their favour to make it to the semi-finals. 

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Their thumping win against Sri Lanka and England’s loss vs Ireland did help Australia’s case, but a washout will not only affect their chances but also kill momentum. 

Except for New Zealand, who play Sri Lanka, England and Ireland next, all other teams need to score as many points as they can to keep up in the race to the semifinals. 

How many more surprises is the Group of Death going to offer?