Pakistan is not yet out of the race for the semi-finals in the T20 World Cup 2026, although many fans believe so. Although now Salman Ali Aga and team has become dependent on the results of other matches as well, but their hopes are still alive. Let us explain to you how Pakistan can now reach the semi-finals.

The first match of the Super-8 of T20 World Cup 2026 was between Pakistan and New Zealand, which was washed out due to rain. After the toss, it started raining heavily, due to which the match had to be abandoned without any ball being bowled. Both the teams got 1-1 points, but Pakistan lost its second match. With the good bowling of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan was moving towards winning this match, but Harry Brook’s century turned the tables.

England has reached the semi-finals from Group 2 with 4 points. Now there is a fight between New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to become the second semi-finalist. Pakistan has played 2 matches of Super-8. After one loss and one draw, Pakistan has 1 point, their net run rate is minus (-0.461).

How can Pakistan reach the semi-finals?

Equation 1: If New Zealand loses both its matches (Sri Lanka and England), then Pakistan will have to win only the match against Sri Lanka. With this, New Zealand will have only 1 point, Sri Lanka will have 2 points and Pakistan will have 3 points.

Equation 2: If New Zealand loses one of its two matches, and Pakistan beats Sri Lanka. In this situation Pakistan and New Zealand will have 3 points each. Then whichever team has a better net run rate will be the second semi-finalist of this group.

If this happens then Pakistan will be out

If New Zealand defeats England and then Sri Lanka, then this team will have 5 points. Pakistan will reach only 3 points even after defeating Sri Lanka, that is, if New Zealand wins both its matches then Pakistan will be out of T20 World Cup 2026.

Now every match of T20 World Cup 2026 is do or die for the Indian cricket team, but victory alone is not enough to reach the semi-finals. The future of Suryakumar Yadav and team also depends on the results of other matches. Net run rate will play an important role, so Team India needs a big win against Zimbabwe. Let us explain to you in simple language what should happen so that India qualifies for the semi-finals.

Team India’s next match is against Zimbabwe on 26th February, in which Suryakumar Yadav needs not just a win but a big win. Because after this India’s clash is with West Indies. In the form West Indies are in, it will be difficult to achieve such a big win against them. In the first match of Super-8, South Africa defeated India by 76 runs, due to which India’s net run rate has become -3.800.

South Africa’s net run rate is +3.800, while after the big win of 107 runs, West Indies’ net run rate is +5.350. There is every possibility that there will be a net run rate issue between any two teams, which will decide who will go ahead and whose journey will end. Right now India is standing far behind in terms of net rate.

How big should India’s victory be?

If Team India scores 220 runs while batting first against Zimbabwe, then they should restrict Zimbabwe to 120 or less. By winning by a margin of 100 or more runs, India can come ahead in the game of net run rate, India will have to ‘dominate’ in this match. However, Zimbabwe has defeated big teams like Australia and Sri Lanka in the league stage, so it will not be easy to do this.

If Zimbabwe team bats first then India will have to chase very quickly. If Zimbabwe scores 150 or 160 runs then Team India will have to chase it before 11 or 12 overs. With this, India’s net run rate can go up significantly.

understand with example

If Zimbabwe scored 160 runs while batting first. If Team India achieves this target in 10 to 12 overs, then the net run rate can increase from +4 to +5. Whereas if Zimbabwe scores more than 180 runs, then India should register a win before 15 overs, this will also be a good improvement in the net run rate.

Indian equation

Equation 1: If Team India defeats Zimbabwe and West Indies, then India will get 4 points. But along with this, it is necessary that South Africa defeats West Indies, this will leave only 2 points for the West Indies team. In such a situation, India and South Africa will be the two teams to qualify for the semi-finals.

Equation 2: If West Indies beats South Africa, then India should register a big win over Zimbabwe. This win should be by a margin of more than 100 runs, or a quick chase. Then defeat West Indies also, efforts should be made to make this also a big victory. In such a situation, India and West Indies will have 4 points each. South Africa will qualify for the semi-finals by defeating Zimbabwe, while the team with better net run rate among India and West Indies will be the second finalist.

But if Zimbabwe defeats South Africa, then the top-2 teams with better net run rate between India, West Indies and South Africa will play in the semi-finals of T20 World Cup 2026.

Pakistan cricket team’s first match in Super-8 was canceled due to rain, after which Salman Ali Aga and team had to be satisfied with 1 point. Today they face England, who had defeated Sri Lanka in the first match of this round. If Pakistan team loses today, they will be able to reach maximum 3 points, then will the team be eliminated today itself? Understand the equation of Group-2.

Today the England vs Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup will be played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy. It was here that Pakistan’s first match was to be held, which was washed out in the rain. But today the chances of rain here are negligible, although there may be drizzle. So there is a question in the minds of the fans that if Pakistan loses today, they will be out of the race for the semi-finals?

If Pakistan loses, what will be the equation?

Even after losing today, Pakistan will not be out of the race for the semi-finals in the T20 World Cup. In this situation they will have 1 point after 2 matches. However, in this situation they will have to depend on other teams. They would like New Zealand to lose to Sri Lanka and England and Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka in their last match. Then Pakistan will have 3 points, Sri Lanka will have 2 and New Zealand will have zero points.

If New Zealand and Pakistan both beat Sri Lanka and England beat New Zealand. So New Zealand and Pakistan will have 3 points each, then the one whose net run rate is better will go ahead.

If New Zealand defeats both Sri Lanka and England, they will have 5 points and England will have 4 points. In this situation, Pakistan will be out of the race for the T20 World Cup semi-finals even before its last match.

Group 2 Schedule

• 24 February- England vs Pakistan
• 25 February- sri lanka vs new zealand
• 27 February- England vs New Zealand
• 28 February- sri lanka vs pakistan

When and where to watch England vs Pakistan match live?

England vs Pakistan match will start at 7 pm today at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The toss will take place at 6:30 pm. The match will be telecast live on Star Sports Network. There will be live streaming on JioHotstar app and website.