Pakistan’s route to the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup has been thrown into uncertainty following a 61-run defeat to India in a high-voltage encounter.
With the victory, India progressed to the Super Eight stage from Group A, while Pakistan’s net run rate suffered a significant blow. After the loss, Pakistan’s net run rate dropped sharply from 0.932 to -0.403.
Despite defeating the United States in a group fixture, Pakistan have slipped below them in the standings.
The USA have won two of their four matches, collecting four points with a net run rate of 0.788.
Pakistan are scheduled to play their next match on 18 February, a must-win fixture against Namibia if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive. A defeat in that match would see Pakistan eliminated from the race for the Super Eight stage.
Earlier in the tournament, India had set Pakistan a target of 176, but Pakistan were bowled out for 114. Apart from Usman Khan, none of the batters managed to settle at the crease, with early wickets widely seen as the decisive factor in the collapse.
