Pakistan’s journey in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has become a tense affair after their thrilling two-wicket defeat to England cricket team in the Super Eights. With England already securing a semi-final berth, the Pakistan national cricket team now face a precarious path to the last four, where their fate is tied not just to their own performance but also to results elsewhere in Group 2.
Pakistan’s immediate task is a must-win clash against Sri Lanka national cricket team. A victory in this match is critical to keep their semi-final hopes alive. However, winning alone may not be enough, as the qualification scenario also hinges on the results of the New Zealand national cricket team in their remaining matches.
If New Zealand lose both of their remaining Super Eights matches, Pakistan will advance by defeating Sri Lanka, as they would then finish ahead in points. In this scenario, the semi-final berth would be secured purely through a victory, with no further calculations required.
The situation becomes more complicated if New Zealand lose only one of their two matches. Pakistan would then not only need to beat Sri Lanka but also ensure a superior net run rate (NRR) compared to New Zealand. The margin of victory could therefore become decisive, making every run and wicket crucial in the final group-stage encounter.
If New Zealand win both of their remaining fixtures, Pakistan’s campaign will end regardless of their result against Sri Lanka. In that case, New Zealand would advance on points, leaving Pakistan eliminated from the tournament.
With England already celebrating progression and Pakistan fighting for survival, Group 2 has emerged as one of the most tightly contested sections of the tournament. The team’s semi-final hopes now rest on a combination of their own performance and the outcomes of other matches, setting the stage for dramatic and high-stakes encounters in the remaining Super Eights games.
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