Will Pakistan Have To Play Qualifiers To Play T20 World Cup 2026 After Group-Stage Exit In 2024?

Will Pakistan Get Direct Entry In T20 World Cup 2026? The Men in Green have been eliminated from T20 World Cup 2024 from the group-stage itself.

Pakistan have been eliminated from T20 World Cup 2024. ( Image Source :PTI )

Pakistan hit a new low after they made a group-stage exit from the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. The Babar Azam-led side started their campaign with a shock defeat against United States of America (USA) in the Super Over. The Men in Green found themselves in a position of dominance in the match against India and looked set to hand them a defeat until they panicked and went from 72/2 in 12 overs to 113/7, chasing 120 to win in 20 overs to lose the match by 6 runs.

While they did win against Canada, USA's washed out match against Ireland meant they had five points, something which Pakistan cannot match even if they were to beat Ireland in their last league match, eliminating them from the race to the Super 8. India and USA are the two teams that will proceed to Super 8 from Group A.

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However, the now question arises will Pakistan need to play the qualifiers to secure place in T20 World Cup 2026?

Teams In Super Eights Assured Direct Entry In T20 World Cup 2026

Notably, the eight teams that will feature in the Super Eights will secure a place automatically in the 2026 edition of the T20 World Cup. That implies India, England, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, USA and Afghanistan already have a place for themselves in the Super Eight and two more teams that will qualify will also make it to the subsequent edition of the tournament.

Other than the Super Eights, the co-hosts will also automatically qualify which means Sri Lanka, by virtue of being co-hosts with India, will also feature in the next edition of the competition for sure. Top ranked teams outside of these two sets will then be considered to complete the confirmed quota of teams to T20 World Cup 2026 which happens to be 12.

Pakistan seems to be in safe zone for now as their world ranking currentlty stands at seven. New Zealand is also likely to make it to the tournamemt without having to play the qualifiers by virtue of their ranking.