How will ENG vs SL result affect Pakistan's semi-final chances in T20 World Cup 2026?

The ENG vs SL match will decide Pakistan’s fate in the T20 World Cup 2026.

Pakistan’s trouble have increased after their first Super 8 stage game against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2026 ended in a draw due to rain at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 21.

Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first when they arrived at the game in a drizzle. The authorities were forced to end the match before a ball was bowled because the steady drops quickly turned into an unrelenting downpour.

Fakhar Zaman replaced Khawaja Nafay in Pakistan’s eleven before the showers. Mitchell Santner, the captain of New Zealand, made three changes, and Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi were also included in the starting lineup. However, due to the rain, the match was abandoned.

Points were divided between the two teams because there was no reserve day for this Super Eight match. Now, Pakistan will face England and Sri Lanka in their last two Super 8 games.

The next Group 2 Super 8 game will be between Sri Lanka and England. This game will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele on February 22.

How can the ENG vs SL match impact Pakistan’s chances of reaching the semi-finals?

The game between England and Sri Lanka in Pallekele will also be crucial for Pakistan. The result of this match will also affect Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the semi-finals in the T20 World Cup 2026.

If England win this match, they will earn two points and their position will get stronger in Group 2 of the Super Eight. The same situation applies to Sri Lanka.

Either of these two teams winning will mean that Pakistan will need to win both of their remaining two matches to gain the maximum points, to reach at least 5 points.

If the England vs Sri Lanka game gets washed out, then both teams will share one point each. That would leave all four teams—England, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and New Zealand—extremely close on points after one round. In this case, net run rate (NRR) becomes hugely important because teams will be separated on tiny margins.

If Pakistan lose to Sri Lanka or England, the situation will become more difficult as they can earn a maximum of three points. To be eligible, they will probably need to rely on other outcomes. They will be eliminated if they lose both games.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.