South Africa national cricket team have become the second side after England cricket team to book a place in the semi-finals of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Their qualification was confirmed on Thursday night in Chennai, where India national cricket team defeated Zimbabwe national cricket team to eliminate them from the tournament.

Earlier in the day, South Africa had strengthened their position by overcoming West Indies cricket team to move to four points in Group 1. They will conclude their Super Eight campaign against Zimbabwe in Delhi on Sunday afternoon.

Later that evening, India and West Indies — both on two points — will clash in a virtual knockout in Kolkata to determine the second semi-finalist from Group 1. West Indies currently hold a significant net run rate advantage (1.791) over India (-0.100), but that cushion will only come into play if rain washes out the decisive encounter at Eden Gardens.

In Group 2, England secured their semi-final berth with victories over Pakistan national cricket team and Sri Lanka national cricket team, climbing to four points and the top of the standings. New Zealand national cricket team sit second after their win against Sri Lanka in Colombo, a result that ended the co-hosts’ campaign.

New Zealand can remove any remaining qualification doubts if they defeat England at the same venue on Friday. A win would not only confirm their semi-final place but also ensure they top the group with five points, setting up a clash with the second-placed team from Group 1.

Should England prevail, they would finish first in the group with six points and keep Pakistan’s slim hopes alive. However, Pakistan would then need a commanding victory over Sri Lanka on Saturday to overturn a substantial net run rate deficit and leapfrog New Zealand.

If Pakistan fail to advance, both semi-finals will be staged in India — in Kolkata and Mumbai on March 4 and 5.