At this stage of a World Cup, there are no shortcuts. No clever calculations to fall back on. If Pakistan are to experiment in the Super 8s, they must ensure those changes translate into results.
Rameen Salman | February 24, 2026
Pakistan’s heavy defeat to India on February 15 exposed a worrying gap in execution. While the difference in quality between the two sides is not impossible to overcome, it demands near-perfection — something Pakistan failed to deliver.
The bowling lacked control, even from usually reliable names like Abrar Ahmed, and the batting once again appeared fragile. Against a stronger opponent, there is no margin for error — and Pakistan made too many.
To their credit, the loss was not terminal. Victory over Namibia secured progression to the next round, and Pakistan delivered emphatically. Sahibzada Farhan struck a commanding century — only the second by a Pakistani in a men’s T20 World Cup — while Usman Tariq’s four-wicket haul helped bundle Namibia out for a double-digit total.
Yet even in victory, the sense of a side still searching for its best combination lingered.
Selection puzzles
Abrar Ahmed’s omission against Namibia raised eyebrows, particularly given his strong T20 record since the start of 2025 despite an off day against India. If his exclusion was performance-based, it suggested a reactive approach to team selection.
Babar Azam’s shift down the order also sparked debate. Coach Mike Hesson acknowledged concerns over Babar’s powerplay strike rate, indicating that the team’s needs may no longer align with his traditional anchoring role.
Pakistan’s first Super 8 clash against New Zealand was washed out in Colombo, denying the team a chance to test its revised plans. However, pre-match decisions again drew scrutiny. Abrar remained sidelined, Fakhar Zaman replaced Khawaja Nafay, and Pakistan opted to bat first despite rain threatening a Duckworth-Lewis-Stern scenario — a choice that could have backfired.
While outcomes often justify decisions in hindsight, the pattern of uncertainty has left fans uneasy.
Lingering doubts
Speculation continues around further changes ahead of the clash with England. Questions surround Shaheen Shah Afridi’s form, Naseem Shah’s absence from the playing XI, and whether in-form players might be displaced.
Pakistan have shown flashes of brilliance — Farhan’s century, Tariq’s bowling spell — but consistency remains elusive. With a point already dropped due to rain, the remaining fixtures are effectively must-win.
At this level, there are no “cheat codes.” Tactical tweaks must be backed by conviction and execution. Pakistan have the talent to compete with the best, but in the Super 8s, potential alone will not suffice.
If they are to keep their campaign alive, experimentation must give way to clarity — and belief must translate into performance.