PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka, Feb. 27, 2026 — Pakistan fast bowler Salman Mirza said Friday his team would aim to close out their Super Eights campaign on a high note against Sri Lanka, even as their hopes of reaching the semifinals at the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup hang on results elsewhere.
Pakistan’s path to the final four is narrow. They must first hope that England national cricket team defeat New Zealand national cricket team by a significant margin in Colombo on Friday. Then Pakistan must secure a commanding victory over Sri Lanka national cricket team in Kandy on Saturday to overhaul their rivals on net run rate.
A New Zealand win would eliminate Pakistan before they take the field, rendering their final Super Eights fixture academic in tournament terms.
“It’s a critical situation as reaching the semifinal is not in our control,” Mirza told reporters. “But if we reach the semifinal we have the capability to do better.”
A campaign of highs and setbacks
Pakistan’s tournament began with a nervy three-wicket victory over the Netherlands in a last-over thriller, followed by comfortable wins against the United States and Namibia. But a heavy defeat to India in a much-anticipated clash in Colombo dented early momentum.
Their first Super Eights match, against New Zealand, was washed out by rain. That left little margin for error heading into a pivotal contest with England in Kandy on Tuesday — a match that ultimately left Pakistan’s fate hanging by a thread.
England chased down their target thanks largely to a sparkling century from Harry Brook. Yet Pakistan briefly clawed their way back into contention late in the innings.
After Brook’s dismissal near the close of the chase, Pakistan struck twice in the penultimate over, setting up a tense finish. Mirza was handed the ball for the final over with England needing three runs and two wickets in hand.
He had a chance to script a dramatic turnaround. Instead, Jofra Archer struck the first delivery for four, sealing England’s win and leaving Pakistan to reflect on what might have been.
“I had the opportunity to become a hero in the final over, but I couldn’t grab that one,” Mirza said. “Such opportunities do not come your way every day. Had I taken two wickets we would have won that match, but it was not to be.”
Waiting on fate
Now Pakistan’s semifinal ambitions rest partly on their rivals. Even so, Mirza said the team’s focus remains fixed on delivering a strong performance against Sri Lanka.
With elimination a possibility before the first ball is bowled in Kandy, Pakistan face the challenge of balancing hope with realism — and ensuring that, whatever the outcome, they leave the tournament with a performance befitting their pedigree
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