Pakistan’s Semi-Final Hopes Hang by a Thread After Harry Brook’s Century
NEW DELHI – Pakistan’s path to the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals has narrowed significantly following a defeat to England in the Super 8 stage. While England secured their spot in the final four courtesy of a commanding chase, the Men in Green must now rely on a specific sequence of results to remain in the tournament.
Match Report: Brook Stuns Pakistan
England captain Harry Brook delivered a masterclass in power hitting, scoring a match-winning century to chase down Pakistan’s target of 164. Brook’s innings of 100 off 51 balls dismantled the Pakistani bowling attack, rendering a spirited effort by Shaheen Shah Afridi insufficient.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 164/9 on a challenging surface. Opener Sahibzada Farhan anchored the innings with a gritty 63 runs. Senior batters Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman contributed 25 runs each but failed to convert their starts into match-winning scores. England’s bowlers executed disciplined lines in the death overs to restrict Pakistan under the 170-mark.
Key Match Statistics
| Team | Score | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 164/9 (20 ov) | Sahibzada Farhan (63), Babar Azam (25) Bowling: Shaheen Afridi (4 wkts) |
| England | 165/X (Target 164) | Harry Brook (100 off 51) Result: Won by wickets (Qualified for Semis) |
Despite the loss, Shaheen Shah Afridi remained a potent threat, claiming four wickets to rattle England’s top order before Brook’s counter-attack settled the contest.
Qualification Scenario: How Can Pakistan Still Qualify?
Pakistan currently sits with one point from two matches (one loss, one washout). Qualification is no longer entirely in their hands. For Pakistan to progress to the semi-finals, they must navigate a complex permutation involving Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
The Mandatory Requirements
To keep their campaign alive, Pakistan must achieve the following:
- Beat Sri Lanka: A victory in the final Super 8 match is non-negotiable. A loss or a washout will result in immediate elimination.
- New Zealand Must Lose: Pakistan requires New Zealand to lose both of their remaining fixtures. This would stagnate New Zealand’s points tally, allowing Pakistan to potentially overtake them.
The Net Run Rate (NRR) Factor
If New Zealand manages to win one of their remaining matches while losing the other, the two teams could finish level on points. In this scenario, Net Run Rate (NRR) becomes the deciding factor. Pakistan would need to:
- Secure a large margin of victory against Sri Lanka to boost their NRR.
- Hope New Zealand suffers a heavy defeat to damage their NRR.
Any other combination of results—such as New Zealand winning both games or Pakistan failing to secure maximum points against Sri Lanka—will confirm Pakistan’s exit from the T20 World Cup.
Upcoming Fixtures
All eyes now turn to the scheduled clash between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Pakistan management will also be closely monitoring New Zealand’s performance in the group, hoping for an upset that reopens the door to the semi-finals.
For official standings and schedule updates, visit the BCCI or ECB official portals.