Pakistan’s journey in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eights has become difficult, but their semi-final hopes are still alive. However, qualification is not fully in their control, and they will need the right results and strong performances.
Let’s understand the situation in easy language.
Super Eights Group 2 Points Table (After NZ beat Sri Lanka)
| Rank | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | N/R | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England (Qualified) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +1.491 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | +3.050 |
| 3 | Pakistan | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -0.461 |
| 4 | Sri Lanka (Eliminated) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | -2.800 |
England have already reached the semi-finals. The second spot will be decided between New Zealand and Pakistan.
Remaining Matches in Group 2
- February 27: England vs New Zealand – Colombo
- February 28: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – Pallekele
These two matches will decide Pakistan’s fate.
What Pakistan Must Do to Qualify
For Pakistan to reach the semi-finals, two results are compulsory:
- England must defeat New Zealand
- Pakistan must defeat Sri Lanka
If any of these results do not happen — or if any match is washed out — Pakistan will be eliminated.
Net Run Rate Challenge for Pakistan
Even if both results go in Pakistan’s favor, the battle is not over.
- New Zealand’s NRR is +3.050
- Pakistan’s NRR is -0.461
- The gap is very big (around 3.5 NRR)
In simple terms, Pakistan need a big win margin to overtake New Zealand.
Possible Qualification Scenarios (Simple Explanation)
1. If Both Teams Bat First
Pakistan and England need big wins.
Example:
- If England beat NZ by 30 runs
- Pakistan may need to beat Sri Lanka by around 40 runs (numbers may vary)
2. If Teams Chase the Target
If matches are won while chasing:
- Pakistan need to finish the chase very quickly
- Around 50 balls combined advantage across the two matches could help close the NRR gap
3. Mixed Results (One Team Chases, One Bats First)
The required margin changes.
Example:
- If England chase and win with 25 balls left
- Pakistan may need to win by 35+ runs if they bat first
Key Point to Remember
Pakistan’s qualification depends on three factors:
- England must beat New Zealand
- Pakistan must beat Sri Lanka
- Pakistan must win by a big margin to improve NRR
Even a small win may not be enough.
Pakistan’s Semi-Final Chances – Final Summary
Pakistan are still in the race, but the situation is very tight. They need help from England and must deliver a dominant performance against Sri Lanka. The exact margin will depend on how the England vs New Zealand match ends.
It’s a tough path, but in T20 cricket, anything can happen.
