What Pakistan must do against Sri Lanka to qualify for the T20 World Cup semi-finals after England do them a huge favour

Pakistan now face Sri Lanka in their final Super 8 match, needing a commanding victory to surpass New Zealand’s Net Run Rate.

Updated on: Feb 28, 2026, 06:35:31 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Pakistan’s hopes of making a late push into the T20 World Cup semi-finals remain alive after England pulled off a thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand on Friday. Having struggled against stronger teams earlier in the tournament, Pakistan were left dependent on other results to keep their campaign alive. They needed England to beat New Zealand, and Harry Brook and his side delivered, chasing down the target with just three balls to spare and giving Pakistan a renewed chance.

Pakistan are still alive in the semi-final race. (AFP)

New Zealand had dominated most of the contest, but late cameos from Will Jacks (32*) and Rehan Ahmed (19*) turned the game on its head in the final three overs, leaving the Super 8 stage with a win. Pakistan now face Sri Lanka in their final Super 8 match, needing a commanding victory to surpass New Zealand’s Net Run Rate. Currently, New Zealand hold the advantage with a +1.390 NRR, while Pakistan sit at -0.461.

In the next match against Sri Lanka, Pakistan have to win by about 65 runs, while if chasing, they need to seal it within 13 overs, but the equation might change slightly after the first innings score.

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Earlier in the Super 8 stage, Pakistan went down to England after a superb century from Harry Brook guided them through a challenging chase. That defeat left Pakistan on the back foot. Their campaign began with a washout against New Zealand, a result that gave them a solitary point but little momentum.

England do Pakistan a huge favour

Meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bowl first against England in Colombo. New Zealand came out with intent, racing to 53 without loss at the end of the Powerplay and putting England on the defensive early. The tide, however, turned once England reshuffled their attack as skipper Harry Brook leaned heavily on spin, rotating as many as five slow bowlers through the middle overs. The move paid off handsomely as England sent down 16 overs of spin, squeezing the scoring rate and limiting the Blackcaps to 159 for 7.

Jacks led the effort with 2 for 23, while Adil Rashid’s 2 for 28 took his tally to 11 wickets, the most for England in the tournament so far. Glenn Phillips struck 39 off 28 balls, and Tim Seifert added 35 at the top.

Defending a moderate target, New Zealand pacers Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson were right on the money in their opening spells and got rid of England openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler early. The spinners tightened their grip soon after Phillips accounted for Brook for 26, a wicket that stalled England’s progress at a crucial stage. From there, the innings lost direction as the batters struggled to rebuild momentum. However, in the last three overs, Jacks and Rehan first counter-attacked Phillips and Santner and then, with just five required of the last over of Henry, England sealed the win with three balls to spare.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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