Where does it happen that Pakistan cricket team plays in any ICC tournament and there is no drama related to it? Something similar has been seen in T20 World Cup 2026 also. But keeping aside the off-field controversies, if we talk directly about the tournament, the drama continues here too. After continuous ups and downs performance in the group stage, it seemed difficult for the Pakistani team, which somehow reached the Super-8 round, to reach the semi-finals. But Pakistan, which used to move ahead sometimes due to rain and sometimes with the help of other teams, has once again got such an opportunity and this opportunity has been given to it by England, who made the semi-final race exciting by defeating New Zealand.
Friday, February 22, was a very important day for the Pakistani team present in Group-2 of the Super-8 round. Salman Aga’s team itself did not take the field but its fate definitely rested on this day. The reason for this was the match between New Zealand and England, the result of which could have ruined Pakistan. This was about to happen but due to mistakes in the last 3 overs, New Zealand lost the match and the chance to go directly to the semi-finals slipped out of their hands. At the same time, England’s victory gave one last chance to Pakistan, where now the fate of the Pakistani team is in its own hands.
The decision of which team other than England from Group-2 will go to the semi-finals will now be taken on Saturday 28th February, when Sri Lanka and Pakistan will face each other. Sri Lanka is already out of the tournament. In such a situation, this match does not have much importance for him. But by defeating Pakistan, it can also eliminate it from the tournament. At the same time, Pakistan needs not just a win but a big win to reach the semi-finals because even after defeating Sri Lanka, it will have only 3 points as much as New Zealand and the decision will be taken on the basis of net run rate, where New Zealand (1.390) is currently ahead of Pakistan (-0.461).
In such a situation, Pakistan can reach the semi-finals only if its run rate is better than New Zealand. But how big a victory does he need for this? This is the equation which is important to know because it is not going to be easy for Pakistan but it is not impossible either. Let us tell you the equation-
If the Pakistani team bats first in this match, then it will have to win by a margin of at least 65 runs and if it bowls first, then it will have to win within 13 overs. For example, if Pakistan scores 160 runs while batting first, then it will have to bowl out Sri Lanka for around 95 runs. Whereas if Sri Lanka scores 160 runs while batting first, then Pakistan will have to achieve this target with 40 or more balls remaining. Overall the equation is not impossible but looking at Pakistan’s form the chances of this happening seem less.