How IND vs PAK can happen in semi-final of T20 World Cup 2026? Qualification scenarios explained
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With two matches left for each side, here’s how fans could witness IND vs PAK clash in semi-final of T20 World Cup 2026.
The most talked about match in world cricket is India facing Pakistan. In recent years, both teams haven’t faced each other apart from ICC and ACC events. Having already played once in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, now eyes turn to how India and Pakistan could face off in the knockout stage.
The Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 is now underway with England and South Africa getting head starts in their groups. Pakistan and New Zealand shared the points in Colombo with rain playing the spoilsport. India on the other hand, suffered a humiliating loss to South Africa.
With each team left with two matches, here’s how both teams can face each other in the semifinals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 permutations explained: What needs to happen for IND vs PAK semi-final
As it stands, the semifinal match-up is straightforward – the winner of one group in the Super 8 phase will meet the runner-up of the other group. This means that either India or Pakistan have to win their group while the other one has to finish runners-up.
This means, in case India win their group, Pakistan must finish runners-up in their Super 8 group. However, if Pakistan win their Super 8 group, India should finish runners-up in their group, which makes the fixture possible.
India suffered a big loss against South Africa taking a big hit on their net run-rate. The Men in Blue can only finish second in Group 1 if South Africa continue their dominance and win all their matches in Group 1. Even if South Africa were to lose a match, India’s best chance is to finish runners-up in Group 1 due to the Proteas’ strong run-rate.
In this scenario, Pakistan will have to finish top of Group 2. This means they’ll have to overcome England and Sri Lanka in their remaining matches. Pakistan’s first match against New Zealand was washed off while England rattled Sri Lanka, getting off to a winning start.
Currently, the semi final 1 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled at Kolkata while semifinal 2 will take place at Mumbai. If Pakistan are to qualify for the semifinals, one of the semi-finals will shift to Colombo. This means if India and Pakistan face each other, the match will take place in Colombo.
With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 going into the decisive stage, fans will hope to see another high-voltage clash between the two neighbouring nations.
Can India and Pakistan meet in the semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026?
Yes, they can meet if one team tops their Super 8 group and the other finishes as runner-up in the opposite group.
How has India’s loss to South Africa affected their semi-final chances?
The heavy defeat has hurt India’s net run-rate, making it tougher to top Group 1.
Where will the IND vs PAK semi-final be played if both qualify?
If both reach the semi-finals, the match will be held in Colombo instead of Kolkata or Mumbai.
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Vishwajit Sawant is a sports content writer with two years of experience who believes in writing that feels honest, simple, and easy to read. He enjoys breaking down sporting moments into stories readers can genuinely connect with, without relying on fancy vocabulary. His work spans cricket, football, basketball, tennis, and Formula 1, with a focus on match previews, reviews, and reports. Vishwajit believes good content doesn’t need to be loud — it just needs to leave a subtle impact.