In a dramatic turn of events, Pakistan’s hopes in the T20 World Cup were dashed when the US-Ireland match was called off due to rain on Friday. The abandonment of the match confirmed Pakistan’s exit from the tournament, following earlier defeats to both the USA and India.
Despite having one fixture remaining against Ireland, the match will be a mere formality for the Pakistani team, as their chances to advance have been extinguished. This early exit is a stark contrast to Pakistan’s recent successes, having reached the semi-finals in 2021 and the final in 2022, demonstrating their resilience and competitive spirit. Notably, Pakistan has reached the T20 World Cup semi-finals six times (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2021, and 2022) — the most by any team.
This year’s premature departure marks Pakistan’s first group-stage elimination since 2016 and only the third in the tournament’s history. The crucial US-Ireland match, scheduled to be held at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida, was abandoned without a single ball bowled due to persistent rain leading to a wet outfield. The ground staff made extensive efforts to dry the field, but a subsequent heavy downpour nullified any chances of play, leading to both teams being awarded one point each.
With the additional point from the abandoned match, the USA advanced to the Super 8 stage of the World Cup, accumulating five points in the group standings. The USA’s journey in the tournament has been remarkable, starting with a victory over Canada and followed by a stunning win against Pakistan.
India has already secured their place in the Super 8 from Group A, leaving Pakistan, Ireland, and Canada to head home after completing their group stage fixtures. The early exits of these teams highlight the unpredictable and competitive nature of the T20 World Cup, as new and emerging teams make their mark on the global stage.
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