The T20 World Cup 2024 has been nothing short of a thrilling rollercoaster, and Pakistan’s second consecutive defeat has significantly shaken up the competition. Their chances of advancing to the Super 8 stage now hang by a slender thread.


England finds itself in a similarly precarious situation after Scotland's stunning victory over Oman and India's nail-biting win against Pakistan in New York. The current scenario stands in stark contrast to 2022, when Pakistan and England clashed in the finals, with England claiming the championship in Australia. Now, both teams are staring down the possibility of an early exit from the tournament.

Group B Standings


Scotland has emerged as the team to beat in Group B, sitting comfortably at the top with five points from three matches. Their dominant performance, particularly their commanding win over Oman, has solidified their leading position.


In contrast, England has managed to secure just one point, which came from a rain-affected draw against Scotland in their opening match. Following that, they suffered a defeat at the hands of Australia. Meanwhile, Scotland has secured victories against both Namibia and Oman.


England's Slim Chances


With only two matches remaining, England can potentially reach a maximum of five points. However, Scotland’s rapid chase of Oman’s target of 150/7 in just 13.1 overs means England faces the additional challenge of overcoming Scotland’s superior net run rate (NRR).


Australia, with two matches still to play, can guarantee their spot in the Super 8 with just one more victory, leaving only one slot open for Group B. Scotland’s impressive NRR provides them with a crucial advantage. For England to surpass Scotland, they must win their remaining matches decisively and hope that Scotland doesn’t cause an upset against Australia in their final game.


Pakistan's Uphill Battle


For Pakistan, the path forward is daunting. They need to secure wins in their upcoming matches against Canada and Ireland, and they must also rely on favorable results in other group games to advance. With no points from two games and an NRR of -0.150, the pressure is mounting.


Captain Babar Azam highlighted the importance of the remaining matches, stating, "We have to win the last two matches. We will sit and discuss our mistakes but look forward to the last two matches."


The Road Ahead


As the tournament progresses, the stakes couldn't be higher for both Pakistan and England. Fans are on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating whether these former finalists can turn their fortunes around and keep their Super 8 dreams alive. The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining the fate of these top teams in the T20 World Cup 2024.