Virender Sehwag gives reality check, roasts Pakistan’s chances of reaching T20 World Cup semis: ‘Nahi hone wala’
Former India opening batter Virender Sehwag minced no words, categorically saying that he doesn’t believe Pakistan have the arsenal to make it to the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals. The Salman Ali Agha-led side remains in contention for the last four only because of England, which won its Super 8s contest against New Zealand in Colombo on Friday. However, Pakistan’s net run rate is way inferior to the Kiwis’, and a win against Sri Lanka will only bring them level with the Black Caps on points.
A win for Pakistan wouldn’t be enough, and the Green Shirts need to win by at least 65 runs if they post 160 runs on the board. If chasing the same score, then they need to get over the line in a maximum of 13.2 overs to leapfrog New Zealand and qualify for the semi-finals.
During a panel discussion on Cricbuzz, when the anchor listed the scenario for Pakistan if they are to bat first against Sri Lanka, Sehwag replied, “Nahi hone wala. Aage padh (It won’t happen, read further).”
Then the anchor shifted her focus to the task at hand, if Pakistan are to chase. Hearing the equation, the Nawaab of Najafgarh said, “Wo bhi nahi hone wala. (This too won’t happen).”
“It won’t happen, that’s what I was saying. It is not that easy for Pakistan. The prayers might have been accepted for the England-New Zealand match. But the prayers won’t work for Pakistan in the game against Sri Lanka. They have been praying for so long, and it has not worked. So I don’t think this is possible,” Sehwag said further on Cricbuzz.
‘Pakistan can’t score 160′
Sehwag said that if Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals, then it would be down to Sri Lanka playing some poor cricket and making things easy for Agha and the rest of the team. He questioned how Pakistan can even chase 160 in 14 overs when they are having trouble posting such a score in the first place.
“If they somehow qualify, very good. If they score 160 and then win by 60 runs, Sri Lanka would have to play some poor cricket. They would need to be bowled out for 90, which is not possible. Chasing the total down in 13.2 overs is possible, but their batting is not like that,” he added.
“Pakistan are anyway not able to score 160, how will they chase the total down in 14 overs? It will be tough,” he added.
England have already qualified for the semi-finals after topping Group 2 in the Super 8s, and one between Pakistan and New Zealand will be the second team to qualify from this group.
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