• Source:JND

ENG vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s: In fifty years of white-ball tournament history, the sport of cricket has seen 23 men's World Cups in both ODIs and the shortest format. Asian teams like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have qualified for the knockout stages the most times and have won eight world titles amongst them.

The Men in Blue have been the most successful of the three, having won four world titles: two in the 50-over format and two in the T20 World Cup. In both formats, India have qualified for the semifinals 13 times, eight in the 50-over format and five in T20Is. Pakistan has qualified for the semifinals as many times as they have played in the semis: six in ODIs and seven in the shortest format. In contrast, Sri Lanka has qualified for the semis 13 times, having played seven semifinals in ODIs and six in the shortest format.

This collective consistency of Asian teams qualifying for the knockout stages had become part of the daily routine of World Cups. In the first 1975 Prudential Cup, the first men's mega event, none of the three Asian teams qualified for the semifinals. After that, at least India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have qualified for the semis in almost every tournament across all formats.

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But the 2026 T20 World Cup is on the verge of scripting a rare historic feat.

Since the Super 8s are nearing their decisive stretch, all three Asian teams are on the verge of elimination. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side is lying in third position in the Group 1 points table after their humiliating loss to South Africa. West Indies' huge 107-run win over Zimbabwe has only made things worse for them.

They now have to win their remaining Super 8 matches against Zimbabwe and the West Indies by a huge margin, and will also depend on South Africa to beat the West Indies. Hence, they remain in contention for the semifinals.

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 England became the first team to qualify for the semifinal from group 2 after winning consecutive Super 8 matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Mitchell Santner-led side, on the back of consistent performances in the group stage and after sharing a point with Pakistan due to rain in Colombo, will be the second team from this group.

If New Zealand beats Sri Lanka, then both Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be knocked out of the race for the semifinals before their last Super 8s match. It will be the first time in 51 years of men's World Cup history that a semifinal will be played without India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

This incident happened once, way back in the 2006 Champions Trophy, when none of the Asian teams could play beyond the group stage.

The fate of Group 1 will be decided on Thursday's double header, whereas the semifinalists from Group 2 will be decided in Colombo on Wednesday.


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