T20 World Cup 2026: Can lucky Pakistan reach the semifinals?

Pakistan had crashed out of the 2024 T20 World Cup at the group stage. They had failed to recover from a shock defeat in their first game against the USA. This time too, their campaign could have been derailed on the opening day.

Against the Netherlands in their 2026 T20 World Cup opener, Pakistan had slumped to 114/7 from 98/2 at one stage. However, Faheem Ashraf flogged Logan van Beek in the penultimate over of the innings, saving the day by hitting three sixes and a four. Max O’Dowd’s dropped catch at long-off proved to be the turning point. Without that slice of luck, Pakistan probably would have lost the game. A defeat in the first match could have been damaging for them.

“I just looked up and prayed to God as hard as I could. Not just from my lips, my whole body was praying for it to be dropped,” Faheem had said after the match.

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In a way Pakistan are a bit lucky to reach the Super 8s. India schooled them at Premadasa Stadium last Sunday, but it has to be said that they showed character to bounce back from such a chastening defeat and win convincingly against Namibia in a do-or-die game.

But now that Pakistan are there, can they reach the semifinals? Shadab Khan came for the post-match presser after the victory against Namibia and asserted that Pakistan were playing to win the World Cup. “I think we are talking a little too much about the one game. The aim is to win the World Cup,” he had said.

Some whataboutery followed. “Former cricketers have their own opinions. They were legends, but even they could not do what we have done. We have beaten India in a World Cup (2021). Criticism is part of cricket's history.”

The comment has landed Shadab in trouble, with the Pakistan Cricket Board reportedly reprimanding him. But from the team's point of view, the more pressing thing would be to win at least two of their three Super 8 matches to qualify for the semifinals. New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka are tough opponents, and Pakistan haven't yet beaten a Full Member side at this World Cup.

Lady luck had smiled on Pakistan during their 1992 World Cup campaign, which eventually turned out to be their finest hour. Rain had saved them from a certain defeat in a group league fixture against England. That one point eventually helped them edge their nearest rivals to reach the semifinals. At the ongoing T20 World Cup also, Pakistan need to get the rub of the green to reach the last-four.

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