What’s a cricket World Cup without permutations, combinations, and some aggressive head scratching? Ask Pakistan fans, who are engaged in crunching numbers on X (formerly Twitter) ever since the team’s
defeat to England in a Super 8 encounter at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, thus far, has England as the confirmed semi-finalist, while the dominant New Zealand have already shown Sri Lanka the exit doors.
So, where do Pakistan stand on the points table and could they make it to the next round, the big semi-finals?
England Book Berth In T20 World Cup Semi-final
It’s worth reminding that England were the first team to qualify for the semifinal of the T20 World Cup. Residents of Group 2, England, were naturally the table toppers with 4 points and a net run rate of +1.491. Their ticket for the next round was confirmed as they managed to surpass Pakistan’s 164/9 with only 5 deliveries and 2 wickets to spare. Harry Brook, the England captain, stood in Pakistan’s way, slamming an extravagant 51-ball 100 on a challenging Pallekele surface that troubled both Pakistan and English batters in equal measures.
Where’s Pakistan On The Points Table?
Sri Lanka, the co-hosts of the T20 World Cup, had no answer to New Zealand’s dominance on display during the Super 8 clash on Wednesday. Chasing 169, Sri Lankan batters fumbled and tumbled, as the locals could only put 107/8 on the scoreboard. Rachin Ravindra was the pick of the bowlers for the Mitchell Santner side, registering a career-best 4/27.
Their defeat against the Kiwis left the Sri Lankans languishing in fourth position on the points table in Group 2 as Dasun Shanaka’s men’s hunt for the cup came to a disappointing end.
With the win, New Zealand stood tall at #2 on the points table with 3 points and a strong net run rate of +3.050. Pakistan, on the other hand, found themselves just one spot above the bottom, with 1 point to their name. Their net run rate? -0.461.
Pakistan Fans In A Whirlwind Of Emotions
Following the defeat to England, Pakistan fans summoned their players, especially the out-of-form Babar Azam and team captain Salman Ali Agha, both of whom, according to them, failed the nation with the bat on the night it mattered. Cries of Azam quitting T20I cricket grew louder by the minute while passionate viewers and pundits alike once again dissected Agha’s captaincy skills.
Then, the obvious question arose: “Can Pakistan still qualify for the semi-final?”
pakistan can still qualify right ??? #T20WC2026
— shayla (@callmeMaharani) February 25, 2026
The calculators were out, and so were the memes.
🗿PAKISTAN eklauta desh hai jo ICC TOURNAMENTS khelne CALCULATOR lekar aata hai.#SLvsNZ #NZvsSL pic.twitter.com/yQH9l3W5qd
— Cricket Panchayat (@CrickPanchayat) February 25, 2026
A few, however, quietly resigned to the fact that Men in Green weren’t making it to the next level.
Pakistan WC se bahir ho gaya ab hum sukoon se WC dekh sakte hain.
— Abdullah (@michaelscottfc) February 25, 2026
So, Can Pakistan Make It To The Semi-final?
Yes. Pakistan’s hopes will now be pinned on the upcoming match between New Zealand and England on Friday. If New Zealand win, the Kiwis will confirm a seat in the semi-final, drawing curtains on Pakistan’s journey. But if England beat New Zealand, then the net run rates of New Zealand and Pakistan will come into play. It’s worth noting that for such a scenario, Pakistan not only have to beat Sri Lanka but beat them comprehensively.
India In A Similar Spot
India, the defending champions and once the favourites, too, find an uphill battle ahead of them in order to make it to the semi-final. South Africa’s massive win by 76 runs and then West Indies tormenting Zimbabwe by 107 runs have put India in a treacherous spot. In fact, winning the next two encounters wouldn’t guarantee Suryakumar Yadav’s XI a sure-shot qualification. Men in Blue’s troubling net run rate, -3.800, would require favours from other teams in Group 1.
