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Former Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi said that India qualifying for the semi-finals stage of the ICC World T20 will be ‘nothing but a miracle’.

India is staring at an early exit from the T20 World Cup after being hammered by New Zealand in their second match on Sunday by eight wickets. They face minnows Afghanistan, Scotland and Namibia in their next three matches.

“India still have an outside chance of qualifying for semis but with how they have played their two big games in the event, it will be nothing but a miracle to see them qualify,” said Afridi.

India still have an outside chance of qualifying for semis but with how they have played their two big games in the event, it will be nothing but a miracle to see them qualify. @T20WorldCup

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 31, 2021

Kohli’s side is staring at a premature exit from the tournament after two back-to-back defeats in the Super 12s phase against Pakistan and New Zealand.

After a historic 10-wicket defeat at the hands of traditional rivals Pakistan in their World Cup opener, India was pushed towards the exit door by New Zealand.

Taking to Twitter after India’s embarrassing defeat on Sunday, former Pakistani all-rounder Afridi opined that the Kohli-led side still has an outside chance of qualifying for the semi-final stage of the ICC T20 World Cup.

After Pakistan upstaged New Zealand in their World Cup opener, Kane Williamson and team bounced back in their second match by outclassing India at the Dubai International Stadium.

India’s decision to demote Rohit Sharma from opening the innings backfired as KL Rahul and returning Ishan Kishan departed before the end of the first powerplay. Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 14 while skipper Kohli scored 9 off 17 balls in India’s must-win tie against New Zealand.

Hardik Pandya (23) and Ravindra Jadeja (26) lifted India to 110-7 in the 20 over-contest as pace ace Boult and spinner Ish Sodhi shared 5 wickets in the low-scoring clash at Dubai.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson and opener Daryl Mitchell powered the Black Caps to an eight-wicket win over India as the Black Caps chased down the paltry total in 14.3 overs.