Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan women suffered another defeat in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, throwing their campaign in a disarray. Despite a spirited performance with both bat and ball by captain Fatima Sana, South Africa were able to edge Pakistan out by two wickets, given the total of 126 proved insufficient. Hence, it’s worth exploring whether the Women in Green still have a chance of qualifying for the knockouts.
Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Can Pakistan women’s team still qualify for the knockout stage?
While the two-wicket defeat to South Africa didn’t affect their net run-rate that much, the 65-run defeat to India in the opening game plunged the same. Additionally, two defeats means Pakistan are languishing in the 5th spot in Group 1, with only the Netherlands behind them. With Group 1 already billed as the group of death due to the presence of Australia, South Africa and India, Pakistan are mathematically out of the race for a Top 2 finish. Fatima Sana and co. need something exceptionally miraculous to guarantee themselves a Top 2 finish.
The Women in Green still put on an exceptional fight, largely thanks to Sana’s unbeaten 55 off 38 deliveries as she lifted their side from a shambolic 45/7 to 126/9 in 20 overs. Pakistan also sparked South Africa’s top-order collapse. with Annerie Dercksen’s 35-ball 52 while batting at No.3 proving to be the difference. Nadine de Klerk, who perished when South Africa required only one run to win, also played a useful hand of 37 off 28 balls, cracking six boundaries. Despite the win, South Africa run the risk of being knocked out in the group stage, majorly due to their big defeat to Australia in their opening fixture.
Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: When did Pakistan last reach the knockout stage of the tournament?
Meanwhile, Pakistan women have not progressed beyond the group stage of any T20 World Cup edition since it came into being in 2009 and the 2026 edition is set to be another year.
While India and Australia are occupying the Top 2 positions in Group 1, England and Scotland hold the same ranking in Group 2. Top 2 teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
