What is Super 8 stage of T20 World Cup 2024 and how does it work? Rules, format and schedule for knockout matches

The excitement for the ongoing edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup is increasing day-by-day as we approach the business end of the tournament.

With teams announcing their 15-man squads for the tournament well in advance and also unveiling their jerseys for the 2024 T20 World Cup, fan frenzy was high in the build-up. 

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This time, the T20 World Cup is being held in the Caribbean and the USA, with the latter co-hosting a major ICC tournament for the first time in its history. The tournament began on June 1 and will end on June 29. 

As mentioned above, 20 teams contested the group stage. Those 20 teams were divided into four groups of five teams each. The top two teams from each group will progress to the next round, known as the Super 8. 

But what is the Super 8? How does it work? You must be having those questions right now. Worry not, because in this article, The Sporting News will explain what the Super 8 stage is.

MORE: ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024: Groups, fixtures and schedule

Super 8 in 2024 T20 World Cup: How are the groups determined?

The Super 8 stage will be divided into two groups: Group 1 and Group 2. Each group will comprise of four teams that progressed from the group stage. 

Now, the groups have already been decided according to seedings. ICC had pre-seeded 8 teams as per T20I rankings (2 from each group). They are India (A1), Pakistan (A2), England (B1), Australia (B2), New Zealand (C1), West Indies (C2), D1 (South Africa) and D2 (Sri Lanka). 

It does not matter how they qualified from their initial group, if these pre-seeded teams made it into the Super 8, they will be allotted into the predetermined groups. 

In case, one of the pre-seeded teams is eliminated, the unseeded team that replaced them will take over their seeding and spot in the Super 8 group. For example: Since Afghanistan have qualified from Group C in place of New Zealand, regardless of whether they finish first or second in their group, they will assume C1 seeding which was allotted to New Zealand.

So, the Super 8 groups are as such.

Group 1: A1 (India), B2 (Australia), C1 (Afghanistan), D2 (Bangladesh)
Group 2: A2 (USA), B1 (England), C2 (West Indies), D1 (South Africa)

Schedule for Super 8 in 2024 T20 World Cup

The Super 8 stage will begin on June 19 and will run till June 25 (per Indian Standard Time). Then, the semi-finals will take place on June 27, followed by the final on June 29.

Each team will play every other team in their groups in the Super 8 stage, which means that each team will play three games. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals.