EXPLAINED: Why Pakistan Have Automatically Qualified For T20 World Cup 2026 Despite Group Stage Exit In 2024

EXPLAINED: Why Pakistan Have Automatically Qualified For T20 World Cup 2026 Despite Group Stage Exit In 2024 Photo : AP

KEY HIGHLIGHTS Pakistan were knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2024 from the Group stage.

They were defeated by USA and India.

They have still qualified for the T20 World Cup 2026.

T20 World Cup 2024 finally ended on June 29, with India finally ending their 11-year drought for an ICC trophy and winning the title for a second time after 2007. However, it was a horror tournament for Pakistan T20 World Cup . There were concerns that the Men in Green would have to play the qualifiers to qualify for the tournament two years later. However, they can now breathe a sigh of relief. Thefinally ended on June 29, with India finally ending their 11-year drought for an ICC trophy and winning the title for a second time after 2007. However, it was a horror tournament for. After a shock loss against USA in the first game, followed by a heartbreaking defeat to champions India in the second match. They were thus, for the first time in their history, were thrashed out of the group stage of the. There were concerns that the Men in Green would have to play the qualifiers to qualify for the tournament two years later. However, they can now breathe a sigh of relief.

According to the rules of the ICC, the teams who qualified for the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 have automatically qualified for the T20 World Cup 2026 . Sri Lanka, despite being knocked out of the group stage, have also automatically sealed their spot, as they will be co-hosting the event alongside India. Apart from these 9 teams, three more teams have automatically qualified, being the top-three ranked sides outside the Super 8 stage. These teams are New Zealand (6th), Pakistan (7th) and Ireland (11th).

The teams that have already qualified for the Super 8 stages are India, South Africa, Afghanistan, England, Australia, Bangladesh, West Indies, USA, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Pakistan. Eight more teams who are playing the different continental qualifiers will join these 12 teams to participate in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Pakistan had a disastrous campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024. They lost their first match by a Super Over against USA, and then India defeated them by 6 runs. Even though they won their remaining two games against Canada and Ireland, they finished third in their group and were knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2024.

Star all-rounder, and a key member of the Pakistan team in the T20 World Cup 2024, Imad Wasim said that the early exit from the tournament was the lowest point of Pakistan cricket.

"Yes, this is the lowest point. You can't go any lower than this. That's the fact. Because to be honest, a lot of things are going to be sorted out in the Pakistan team. The chairman and the board will sort it out. Losing to USA, well, losing is a part of the game, but we shouldn't have lost to USA. Even against India - we had that game in our hands and we shouldn't have lost. So, there is no excuse for anything. We are losing matches collectively," Wasim said.