Key points
- Both teams share one point
- Pakistan must win remaining matches
- One loss brings net run rate risk
COLOMBO: The abandoned Super Eights fixture between Pakistan and New Zealand has heightened the stakes in Group 2 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, leaving little room for slip-ups.
After Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat at the R. Premadasa Stadium, steady rain set in and failed to ease. With conditions not improving, the umpires officially called off the match at 9:05pm local time (15:35 GMT). The cut-off time for even a five-over contest — 10:16pm (16:46 GMT) — passed without play, meaning both sides shared a point.
The result leaves Pakistan’s semi-final hopes finely balanced. To qualify without depending on net run rate, they must win both of their remaining Super Eights matches against England and Sri Lanka. Two victories would take them to five points, which would almost certainly secure a place in the last four.
Qualification
If Pakistan win one and lose one, qualification would hinge on other results in the group as well as net run rate calculations. However, defeats in both remaining fixtures would leave them stuck on a single point and eliminate them from contention.
The washout has effectively turned the remaining matches in Group 2 into must-win encounters, with qualification scenarios likely to become clearer following the Sri Lanka–England clash on February 22.
Pakistan are grouped with Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand in Group 2, and next face England on February 24 before taking on hosts Sri Lanka in their final match.
In Group 1, defending champions India are joined by South Africa, Zimbabwe and West Indies. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals.
