In six of the eight T20 World Cups, Pakistan has advanced at least to the quarterfinals; in 2009, they won the tournament. After that, they lost in the semifinals twice in a row in 2010 and 2012, then again in 2021, before making the finals for the third time ever in 2022 (the other being in 2007). But with back-to-back defeats at the beginning of the group stage, the Babar Azam-led team’s campaign in the 2024 ICC tournament is in jeopardy. Pakistan’s crucial group stage matches are against Ireland on June 16 in Lauderhill and Canada on Tuesday in New York. To advance, Pakistan must win both games and hope either the USA or India loses their remaining matches. Their fate hinges on the USA-India encounter and subsequent results.
Pakistan’s Struggles and Slim Chances for Super Eight Qualification
Pakistan lost their opening match on Friday in Dallas to World Cup rookies and co-hosts the USA via Super Over. The bowlers in New York folded India for just 119 runs, their lowest-ever T20 World Cup total, but the batter faltered under duress in the run chase. Nevertheless, the team recovered well from the embarrassing display. Pakistan lost by six runs in the end.
Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the Super Eight are all but gone as India defeated Ireland in their opening match and the USA defeated Canada to take the top spot in the points standings. They haven’t played in the event yet, and they currently sit third in the standings behind Canada, who defeated Ireland the previous week.
Pakistan can, at most, earn four points from their remaining games in the T20 World Cup Group A equation, but that won’t be enough to guarantee them a spot in the Super Eight, therefore their destiny is totally out of their control.
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Pakistan’s Path to Qualification in the Group Stage
Pakistan’s remaining two group stage matches are against Ireland in Lauderhill on June 16 and Canada in New York on Tuesday. They need to win both games and hope that either the USA or India loses the other two they have left to play. Pakistan will depend on their neighbors to see them through as long as India and the United States play each other in the upcoming encounter. Pakistan’s next hope, if that outcome holds true, is for Ireland to defeat the United States. Despite losing to Canada and India to begin the tournament, Paul Stirling’s team will undoubtedly not enter the match as the underdog against the USA, who are rated 12th.
Not to mention, Pakistan will still need to address the issue of net run rate. They lost to India by barely six runs, therefore their net run rate is -0.150. Their match against the USA finished in a Super Over, so NRR was not taken into account. This suggests that Pakistan is the favorite to win the NRR conflict if the previously listed conditions are met.
