Pakistan, the 2009 T20 World Cup champions and finalists in 2007 and 2022, has secured a place in the 2026 T20 World Cup despite a disappointing performance in the 2024 edition. According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), Pakistan’s qualification is due to their T20I ranking, ensuring their spot in the next tournament.
Pakistan’s Disappointing 2024 Campaign
Unexpected losses and internal turmoil marked Pakistan’s 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. The team made an early exit after losing their first two matches from promising positions.
- Super-Over Defeat Against the USA: In a stunning upset, Pakistan faced a super-over humiliation against the United States. This match, which was expected to be an easy win for Pakistan, ended in a dramatic loss, setting the tone for their underwhelming performance.
- Narrow Loss to India: In a highly anticipated match against their arch-rivals India, Pakistan failed to chase down a modest target of 120 runs, losing by six runs. This defeat further dampened their chances of progressing in the tournament.
- Impact of Weather: Rain played a role in Pakistan’s exit as well. The match between Ireland and the USA was abandoned, leading to shared points. This development indirectly contributed to Pakistan’s failure to advance past the group stage, a first in their T20 World Cup history.
Internal Struggles and Promises of Change
Amidst the sub-par performances, reports of internal rifts within the Pakistan camp surfaced. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief promised significant changes to the team following their early exit.
ICC Qualification Announcement
In looking ahead to the 2026 T20 World Cup, the ICC confirmed that Sri Lanka and India secured the first two spots based on their performances. The remaining spots were determined by a combination of Super Eight qualifiers from the 2024 edition and the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings as of the June 30 cut-off date.
- Super Eight Qualifiers: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, and the West Indies secured their spots due to strong performances in the first round and entry into the Super Eights, along with the USA.
- T20I Rankings: Despite missing out on the Super Eights, Pakistan, ranked 7th in T20I rankings, secured their place in the 2026 edition. New Zealand (6th) and Ireland (11th) also qualified through their rankings.
Future Prospects
The final eight teams for the 2026 edition will be decided through regional qualifiers, with the number of qualification spots per region yet to be confirmed. Pakistan’s inclusion in the 2026 T20 World Cup ensures they have another chance to compete at the highest level and redeem their performance.