A low-pressure system in the tropics has triggered an uncommon flash flood crisis across a significant portion of Florida, threatening to wash out three crucial Group A matches of the T20 World Cup later this week. The impact of a potential hat-trick of washed-out games will be significant in determining which team joins India from Group A to progress to the ‘Super 8s’ stage of the tournament, co-hosted by the USA and the Caribbean islands.
The top two teams from each of the four groups advance to the next stage of the ICC’s showpiece T20 event. The Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida, is one of three stadiums in the US hosting some of the group-stage matches of the T20 World Cup.
If all three matches produce no results, the USA will benefit significantly, making a historic entry into the ‘Super 8s’ in their tournament debut, while the 2009 champions Pakistan will face elimination.
As it stands in Group A, Pakistan desperately needs the games to produce results for their progression in the tournament, which not only depends on a win against Ireland on June 16 but also on a favorable result in the USA vs. Ireland match on June 14.
The current standings in Group A are as follows:
- India – 3 matches, 6 points (NRR +1.137) – Qualified for ‘Super 8s’
- USA – 3 matches, 4 points, (NRR +0.127)
- Pakistan – 3 matches, 2 points (NRR +0.191)
- Canada – 3 matches, 2 points (NRR -0.493)
- Ireland – 2 matches, 0 points (NRR -1.712)
Three matches remain to be played in Group A, all in Florida:
- USA vs. Ireland (June 14)
- India vs. Canada (June 15)
- Pakistan vs. Ireland (June 16)
Based on the current standings and fixtures, a washout in the match between the USA and Ireland will mean that the USA advances to five points, securing their place in the ‘Super 8s’ along with India, while the other three teams pack their bags. This would render Pakistan’s match against Ireland inconsequential.
However, if the weather allows a result in the USA vs. Ireland game, Pakistan will hope for an Irish victory. In that case, Pakistan would only need to beat Ireland to progress to the ‘Super 8s.’ If the USA beats Ireland, they go through.
But Florida weather may have the last word, as the forecast suggests. Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood mayors declared a state of emergency for their cities on Wednesday. However, the National Hurricane Center reported that the disturbance has not yet attained cyclone status.
“Regardless of development, heavy rainfall is forecast to continue across portions of the Florida peninsula during the next few days,” the National Hurricane Center posted on its website on Wednesday. The Miami weather service office released alarming forecasts and advisories regarding the approaching storm. “Life-threatening flooding is now ongoing. Please stay off the roadways and get to higher ground,” the service posted on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).
