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England’s win in the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has changed the semi-final race completely. Led by a brilliant century from captain Harry Brook, England defeated Pakistan by two wickets and booked their place in the semi-finals.
The match was played at Pallekele, where England chased down Pakistan’s target of 167 runs in 19.1 overs, losing eight wickets. With this victory, England became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals.
India vs Pakistan Semi-Final Scenario: What Does the Math Say Now?
After Pakistan’s defeat, the chances of an India vs Pakistan semi-final have dropped sharply. Pakistan are now almost out of the tournament, which makes a knockout clash between the two rivals very unlikely.
Why Is Pakistan Almost Out of the Tournament?
Pakistan have played two Super 8 matches so far. One match was washed out due to rain, and the other ended in defeat against England. This means Pakistan have only one point.
They have just one match left against Sri Lanka, but even if they win, their qualification will depend on other teams’ results and a big improvement in net run rate.
Can Pakistan Still Reach the Semi-Finals?
In the current situation, Pakistan reaching the top two looks extremely difficult. England have already qualified, and other teams are in a stronger position on the points table.
Where Does India Stand Right Now?
The Indian National Cricket Team are still in the race for the semi-finals. However, their net run rate is not very strong, which means India are more likely to finish second in their group rather than first.
What Happens If India Finish Second?
If India finish second in their group, they will face the top team from the other group in the semi-finals. In that case, a semi-final match against Pakistan will not be possible.
What Did Pakistan Need to Face India?
To play India in the semi-finals, Pakistan needed to finish at the top or at least in the top two of their group. The loss against England has almost ended that possibility.
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Can Net Run Rate Change Everything?
While net run rate calculations can sometimes change the situation, the gap is currently too big. Pakistan would need extraordinary results to qualify, which looks very unlikely.
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ENG vs PAK: Harry Brook’s Captain’s Knock Steals the Show
England’s chase got off to a disastrous start as they lost early wickets and found themselves under pressure in the powerplay. However, captain Harry Brook rose to the occasion with a composed and mature innings, balancing caution with timely aggression.
Brook rotated the strike efficiently, punished loose deliveries, and ensured the required run rate never spiraled out of control. He brought up his century in the 17th over, becoming the first captain to score a hundred in the history of the T20 World Cup. His innings featured 10 fours and four sixes.
Although Pakistan managed to create some late drama, England stayed calm to cross the finish line and book their semi-final berth.
Pakistan’s Batting Falls Short
Earlier, Pakistan struggled to score freely on a slow pitch. Sahibzada Farhan played a fighting knock and helped the team reach a competitive total. However, regular wickets in the middle overs stopped Pakistan from pushing the score higher.
England’s bowlers bowled with discipline and made full use of the conditions.
Final Take
England’s victory has almost closed the door on Pakistan’s semi-final hopes. India are still in contention, but their final position will depend on upcoming matches.
For fans waiting for an India vs Pakistan semi-final, this edition of the T20 World Cup may end in disappointment, as current scenarios suggest the big clash is unlikely to happen.
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