Overview:
Pakistan will now face England and Sri Lanka on February 24 and 28, respectively, while New Zealand meet Sri Lanka and England on February 25 and 27, respectively.
Former bowler Shoaib Akhtar believes that Pakistan were thumped by India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 match as they couldn’t handle the pressure. The Men in Green were outplayed as they fell to a 61-run defeat against India in the group stage match. While former players slammed them, Akhtar said that Pakistan keep getting bogged down against India. He still feels Pakistan have the players to beat any team in the world.
“We are getting bogged down against India. There is no other reason behind the losing streak. Our team selection is not correct. I don’t under the logic behind selecting some players. Otherwise, we have enough players who can lead the team to a win against any rival,” he said on Tapmad.
Pakistan’s first Super 8 match against New Zealand was called off due to rain at the R Premadasa Stadium on Saturday. Both sides were awarded one point each.
Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha won the toss and elected to bat first before the downpour forced the ground staff to cover the field. Match officials waited for a long time, but they were left with no option but to abandon the game after the rain didn’t stop.
Pakistan’s semi-final chances have taken a hit after the outcome of the game against the Kiwis. Pakistan added Fakhar Zaman in place of Khawaja Nafay to the Playing XI. New Zealand made three changes. Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi returned to the team.
Pakistan will now face England and Sri Lanka on February 24 and 28, respectively, while New Zealand meet Sri Lanka and England on February 25 and 27, respectively.