In the Super-12 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup, India's five-wicket loss to South Africa has made their forthcoming match against Bangladesh against Bangladesh exceedingly critical after the 2007 winners lost their top spot in Group 2 on Sunday night.
Despite having their match against Zimbabwe abandoned, the Proteas are now in first place in the group with five points from three games, while India is in second with four points from the same number of games.
India has the advantage going into the match against Bangladesh thanks to a net run rate (NRR) of +0.844, but the neighbours from across the subcontinent cannot be dismissed considering that they are both on four points and that the only thing separating them is the NRR.
While South Africa is now the overwhelming favourite to win the group thanks to their crushing 104-run victory over Bangladesh and their NRR of +2.772, the competition for the second spot from the group may get very competitive as all teams, with the possible exception of Pakistan and the Netherlands, have a chance to advance to the last four.
With just one game remaining, Bangladesh's victory would put them two points ahead of India in the group, perhaps creating a way for Bangladesh to steal India's semifinal position in the last round of games.
India will already have one foot in the last four if they defeat Zimbabwe on Sunday in the fifth and final group encounter.
Although Zimbabwe's incredible victory over Pakistan had given them a chance, their shocking defeat to Bangladesh means it will take extraordinary circumstances for them to finish in the top two moving forward.
Pakistan might have needed a miracle to go to the semifinals after suffering two defeats, both on the game's penultimate ball against India and Zimbabwe. The loss by India to South Africa has further dashed their aspirations, and the outcome has made it more difficult for Babar Azam's team to qualify, according to the ICC.
Pakistan will have six points if they defeat South Africa on November 3 and Bangladesh on November 6. Although not mathematically impossible, Pakistan is utterly out of its control, and it is appearing less and less probable that six points will be sufficient.
Due to South Africa's victory on Sunday, Pakistan would not be able to overtake Temba Bavuma's team even if they defeat the Proteas in their upcoming encounter. A large margin of victory in at least one of the remaining games would be advantageous because NRR could still play a role.
Pakistan's match against South Africa in Sydney could be crucial for both teams, depending on the outcomes of the matches that came before them. Even without the possibility of qualification being on the line, it's a significant matchup between two of the best teams in the world.