Pakistan secure 'direct berth' in T20 World Cup 2026 despite poor performance

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced the 12 teams that have qualified for the T20 World Cup 2026. 

Pakistan have made a direct entry into the tournament based on its ICC men's T20I team rankings, despite a disappointing performance in the previous short-format mega event.

"Despite missing out on the Super Eights, Babar Azam's men meanwhile secured their place at the next edition thanks to their T20I ranking (7th), alongside New Zealand (6th) and Ireland (11th)," the international cricket body said in a statement.

According to ICC, the top 8 teams from the Super Eight stage of the recently concluded World Cup 2024, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Australia, West Indies, India, South Africa, USA, and England, have qualified directly for the 2026 tournament.

Pakistan, New Zealand, and Ireland secured their spots based on their International T20 Rankings as of June 30.

ICC said 20 teams will compete in the tournament, divided into four groups, playing a total of 55 matches.

"Again a 55-match affair, the tournament will be played out in the same format, with four groups of five, before two Super Eights groups, semi-finals and a final to crown the next champion," the ICC mentioned.

The T20 World Cup 2026 will be held in Sri Lanka and India, with teams from various regions, including Africa, America, Asia, Asia Pacific, and Europe, participating in the regional qualification round. 

The top 2 teams from Africa, 1 from the US, 2 from Asia, 1 from Asia Pacific, and 2 from Europe will advance to the mega event scheduled for 2026.

The announcement came as a relief for men in Green, which had a disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup 2024.

The Green Shirts suffered consecutive defeats against the debutant USA and India and eventually bowed out of the tournament in the group stage after the match between America and Ireland was washed away due to rain.