Pakistan faces an uphill battle to qualify for the Super Eight stage after suffering defeats against the United States and India in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.
The Green Shirts’ progression to the next stage hinges on several factors, including victories in their next two matches, the United States’ losses in their upcoming fixtures against India and Ireland, and the net run rate.
In each of the tournament’s four groups, comprising five teams, only two will advance to the Super Eight stage. Pakistan, alongside Canada, Ireland, the United States, and India, finds themselves in Group A.
With zero points and no wins in their previous two matches against the United States and India, Pakistan faces a daunting challenge. Meanwhile, India and the United States lead the points table with four points each, having won their previous two encounters.
Pakistan’s fate is contingent upon not only securing victories in their upcoming matches against Ireland and Canada but also relying on the United States to stumble in their fixtures against India and Ireland.
Even if Pakistan manages to win both matches, they must also ensure a superior net run rate compared to the United States to secure a berth in the Super Eight stage.
However, if the United States secures another victory, Pakistan’s hopes will be dashed, regardless of their net run rate.
Both of Pakistan’s defeats in the World Cup have been closely contested. One match was lost in a Super Over, while the recent defeat against India saw Pakistan falling short by a mere six runs after restricting India to 119 runs.
Despite a commendable bowling performance, Jasprit Bumrah’s decisive 3-14 spell restricted Pakistan to 113-7, sealing their defeat.
In the match against the United States, which ended in a thrilling Super Over, the hosts emerged victorious by five runs. Mohammad Amir’s bowling restricted the United States to 18-1 in the Super Over, but Pakistan could only manage 13-1 in response.
