Pakistan qualification scenario explained after New Zealand’s loss to England in T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8

England have done a favor to Pakistan with their victory over New Zealand in the penultimate Super 8 clash of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo. For the lion’s share of the innings, England were behind the eighth ball in the chase of 160 runs as the spin department of the Kiwi side got the better of their batters. 

The New Zealand side posted 159 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their allotted 20 overs as their middle-order batter, Glenn Phillips, smashed 39 runs in 28 balls while their opening batter, Tim Seifert, clubbed 35 runs in 25 balls at a strike rate of 140, shouldering on three boundaries and a couple of over boundaries.

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Meanwhile, England kept losing wickets at the start of the innings before their middle order and lower order batters stood up on their feet and bailed them out of trouble. Rachin Ravindra finished his full quota of four overs for a fine bowling spell of 3/19 in four overs at an economy rate of 4.80.

How can Pakistan qualify for T20 World Cup 2026 Semifinal? 

The qualification scenario for the Pakistan side, who will be up against a depleted Sri Lanka side in the final Super 8 clash of the group at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, will have a stiff job on their hand. The first job for them will be to beat the opponents.

Now, if they bat first in that clash, then they will have to win the game by at least 55 to 70 runs. For example, if they bat first and post a strong score of 170, then they will have to restrict the Sri Lanka side to under 115.

On the other hand, they will have to chase the target superbly quickly, at least with five to seven overs in hand. For example, if they are chasing 150 runs, they will have to complete the chase by 13 overs to get to the third stage of the tournament.