By Admin 
Pakistan team seems to be stuck in a difficult situation in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The decision of not playing the match against India even before the start of the group stage has raised a big question on Pakistan’s strategy and prospects. Now the danger is not from India, but from two such teams which have often been taken lightly.
Withdrawal from the match against India became a big headache
There was to be a match between India and Pakistan on 15th February, but Pakistan has boycotted this match. This will have a direct impact on the group points table. Pakistan will not get any benefit in terms of net run rate from this match. Whereas the role of NRR is very important in the initial stages of the tournament and Pakistan already seems to be lagging behind here.
Real threat from Netherlands and America
Pakistan will play its first two matches against Netherlands (7 February) and America (10 February). Both these matches may seem easy on paper, but the recent record tells a different story. America surprised the world by defeating Pakistan in the Super Over in the last T20 World Cup. Not only this, recently by scoring 200 runs in the warm-up match against India A, America showed that their batting is not worth taking lightly.
At the same time, Netherlands is also no less than anyone. They surprised everyone by defeating South Africa in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Before this, Netherlands had also given a crushing defeat to a strong team like England in 2009. In such a situation, both these matches will be like “do or die” for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s weak links
Pakistan’s biggest problem has been its uncertain batting. In big tournaments, his game has often been seen disintegrating against weak teams. The defeat against Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup is an example of this. On top of that, the decision of not playing the match against India can also increase pressure on the team.
Namibia is also not easy
Pakistan’s last group match is against Namibia on 18 February. If there is even one defeat in the first two matches, then the match against Namibia will be very stressful.
Will the journey end in just 3 matches?
If Pakistan loses to either Netherlands or America, then its hopes of making the semi-finals may be almost over. In such a situation, not India but these two teams are emerging as the biggest threat to Pakistan’s World Cup journey.
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 group stage schedule
7 February 2026: pakistan vs netherlands
place: Colombo, Sinhalese Sports Club
10 February 2026: Pakistan vs America
place: Colombo, Sinhalese Sports Club
15 February 2026: Pakistan vs India (Pakistan will not play the match)
place: Colombo, R. Premadasa Stadium
18 February 2026: pakistan vs namibia
place: Colombo, Sinhalese Sports Club