Can Pakistan still qualify for T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals after New Zealand’s win over Sri Lanka?

New Zealand’s 61-run drubbing of Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday night has now put it in prime position to qualify from its Super 8s group for the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2026.

New Zealand is now second in the group with three points and a healthy Net Run Rate of +3.050, making it well placed to take the second spot in the final four after England.

How can New Zealand qualify for the semifinals?

For the Kiwis, the equation for qualification is now a simple one. If it defeats England in its final Super 8s match in Colombo on Friday, it will qualify for the semifinals and top the group.

If it loses, it will still likely finish in second. If Pakistan loses to Sri Lanka on Saturday in Kandy, it will be through as well, and it will likely still qualify if Pakistan wins.

How can Pakistan qualify for the semifinals?

A New Zealand win against England would spell the end of Pakistan’s tournament. Should Harry Brook’s side do it a favour, Salman Ali Agha’s charges would need to defeat Sri Lanka and hope that the collective margin of New Zealand’s defeat and its own win is enough for it to overturn the Net Run Rate deficit.

One small positive for Pakistan is that the close nature of its defeat to England means that it’s NRR did not suffer a massive hit.