Pakistan should beat Namibia on February 18, 2026, at 09:30 GMT in Colombo to maintain their T20 World Cup Tremendous 8 hopes alive. The match comes three days after Pakistan have been bowled out for 114 chasing India’s 175 for 7, shedding by 61 runs at R. Premadasa Stadium. That defeat has put Pakistan in a must-win scenario with no room for error.
India have already sealed their Tremendous 8 spot from Group A. Namibia are eradicated with zero factors. Pakistan and USA are each on 4 factors, however USA maintain a a lot better web run charge of +0.788 in comparison with Pakistan’s -0.403. That hole is the true downside for Pakistan proper now.
What Pakistan Have to Qualify
Pakistan’s path to the Tremendous 8 is simple on paper. Win towards Namibia they usually undergo. Lose and they’re virtually definitely out, as a result of USA’s web run charge benefit is just too massive to beat on factors alone.
There’s additionally a washout state of affairs. If rain wipes out the Pakistan vs Namibia match utterly, Pakistan qualify routinely as a result of the no-result provides them sufficient factors to complete forward. However counting on rain will not be a plan any crew desires to be in. Pakistan should win this sport with an excellent margin to restore their web run charge. The World Cup qualification course of makes clear that NRR decides ties when groups end degree on factors, so the margin of victory issues too.
Netherlands play India on the identical day. If Netherlands beat India and Pakistan lose to Namibia, three groups end on 4 factors. In that case, USA nonetheless undergo on web run charge. Pakistan can’t profit from that state of affairs, given the place their NRR sits.
What Went Unsuitable In opposition to India and What Should Change
Pakistan’s bowling really did moderately nicely towards India. Saim Ayub took 3 wickets for 25 runs and saved India to 175 for 7. The issue was the batting. Pakistan misplaced 4 wickets contained in the powerplay whereas chasing and by no means recovered. Usman Khan was the one top-eight batter to attain greater than 15 runs. The remainder collapsed.
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson spoke after the defeat and made clear the crew must reset quick.
“We’re actually disillusioned we didn’t play in addition to we might, however event play has its ups and downs. Our job is to select ourselves up and be prepared in two or three days,” Hesson mentioned.
He additionally pointed to stress administration as the important thing situation, saying Pakistan should belief their decision-making when opponents put them below stress.
The PCB’s assist for Bangladesh’s Refusal to play the T20 World Cup Video games in India has been below scrutiny all through this event, and now the enjoying group should reply on the sphere. In opposition to Namibia, Pakistan’s senior batters must bat with extra construction from the beginning of the powerplay.
Group A Standings Earlier than February 18 Matches
| Group | Matches | Received | Misplaced | Factors | NRR |
| India | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | +3.050 |
| USA | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | +0.788 |
| Pakistan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -0.403 |
| Netherlands | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -1.352 |
| Namibia | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -2.443 |
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Namibia Will Not Be Simple
Namibia are out of the event, however they’ve competed onerous in all three of their matches. Pakistan’s batting confidence is low after the India sport. Groups in that form of psychological state typically battle towards lower-ranked opponents who don’t have anything to lose and play with out stress.
Pakistan’s bowlers must be ok to limit Namibia. However the batting order wants to point out up this time. If the highest three bat nicely and construct a strong whole, Pakistan ought to win comfortably. If the powerplay collapses once more, this match might get uncomfortable rapidly.
If Pakistan do qualify, they’ll enter Tremendous 8 Group Y alongside England, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. That may be a powerful draw, however reaching the Tremendous 8 is the primary goal.
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