Has Pakistan qualified for Super Eights after wins vs Netherlands and USA?

Pakistan have made a commanding start to their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, registering back-to-back victories over the Netherlands and the USA. And those two wins have propelled the Salman Ali Agha led side to the top of Group A and strengthened their net rate. With all of this, one question that has got everyone excited and curious is if they have officially qualified for the Super 8s? Let’s figure it out.

As things stand, Pakistan have not yet mathematically secured their place in the next round. They had a horror start against the Netherlands, where they were at the brink of yet another shocking loss against the associates. Chasing a modest total of 148, the 2009 champions were in a spot of bother. They needed 29 off the last two overs, with just three wickets in hand.  

What followed was pure destruction by Faheem Ashraf. He smashed 24 runs off Logan Van Beek in the penultimate over and helped the Men in Green get over the line. In their second match against the USA, though, the Men in Green were clinical as they won the contest by a comfortable margin of 32 runs. They scored 190 runs with the bat, with opener Sahibzada Farhan top-scoring with 73. The bowlers did their job brilliantly, restricting the USA to only 158.

Pakistan’s current position in Group A

Their victories in the opening two matches have given them four crucial points and a healthy net run rate, putting them in a strong position. As a team, they have looked composed and clinical, handling pressure moments well and executing their plans effectively. However, despite sitting at the summit of the table, qualification is not guaranteed just yet. With the group stage running until February 20, the side still has important work left to do.

What does Pakistan need to qualify?

The equation for Pakistan is pretty simple. They have a couple of fixtures remaining – against India (February 15) and Namibia (February 18). To seal their Super Eights berth without depending on other results, they need to win at least one of these matches. A victory in either game would confirm their progression.

But if they were to lose both, qualification could come down to net run rate calculations and results involving other teams, a situation they would ideally want to avoid.

Why is India versus Pakistan crucial?

Now we finally know that the all-exciting India vs Pakistan match is going to happen on February 15 after Pakistan took a U-turn regarding their participation in this clash. And what makes this upcoming encounter between India and Pakistan more special is that the clash could play a decisive role in shaping Group A.

For Pakistan, a win over their arch-rivals would not only secure qualification but also strengthen their chances of finishing on top of the group, which could influence match-ups in the Super Eight stage. A defeat, however, would increase pressure heading into the Namibia game.  

For India, the stakes are equally high. The result could significantly impact their qualification scenario, making this fixture far more than just another chapter in cricket’s biggest rivalry.

NRR factor

Pakistan’s positive net run rate currently works in their favour. After two wins, their NRR stands  at +0.932  and it provides a cushion in tight scenarios, but relying on mathematical permutations is never ideal in a tournament of this magnitude.

A strong performance in either of the remaining matches would remove any uncertainty and allow them to focus entirely on the next stage. 

The final verdict

For now, the Men in Green are in control of their destiny. Their strong start has laid the foundation, but the Super Eights ticket is not yet officially stamped. The coming days, particularly the high-voltage clash against India, could ultimately define their path in the T20 World Cup 2026. So, even after winning their opening two fixtures, Pakistan still have not officially qualified for the Super 8s.