What went wrong for Pakistan in Super 8 clash against England at T20 World Cup 2026? Waqar Younis explains

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Pakistan’s narrow defeat to England in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 continues to spark debate, and former captain Waqar Younis has offered a candid assessment of where things unraveled. Speaking after the contest, Waqar pointed to lapses in fielding intensity and a failure to capitalize on key phases as the primary reasons behind the setback.

The high-pressure encounter at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium saw Pakistan post 164/9 after being asked to bat first. England chased the target down in a tense finish, but Waqar believes the match was there for Pakistan to seize — if only they had maintained control in crucial moments.

Waqar did not mince words in his analysis. According to him, Pakistan allowed the game to drift away through avoidable errors in the field. In T20 cricket, the smallest margins often decide outcomes. A misfield, a missed cut-off, or a half-chance grassed can quickly shift momentum. Waqar stressed that Pakistan had moments where they were on top — especially when wickets fell and England were rebuilding — but they failed to sustain that pressure. He highlighted how allowing easy singles and twos disrupted Pakistan’s plans. Instead of forcing England into risky strokes, they let the chase settle into a rhythm. That breathing space proved costly.

“Pakistan allowed easy runs in the field. When they had control, they looked sharp. But once the pressure eased, their intensity dropped. That’s where they missed the trick,” Waqar said while speaking on JioHotstar.

Waqar also turned his attention to Pakistan’s batting effort. On a surface that offered true bounce and value for shots, he felt a total of 175–180 was within reach. Pakistan started with promise but couldn’t build the kind of partnerships needed to push beyond a middling total. The innings lacked a stabilizing presence in the middle overs — someone who could rotate strike while allowing others to play freely. Instead, wickets fell at intervals that stalled momentum. While acknowledging England’s disciplined bowling, Waqar maintained that Pakistan were equally responsible for not maximizing favorable conditions.

“In the first innings, 175-180 was achievable. It was there for the taking. England bowled well, but Pakistan didn’t help themselves, particularly in the field,” he added.

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Speaking about the match, Pakistan showed glimpses of resilience. They posted a competitive 164/9, thanks largely to a composed knock from Sahibzada Farhan, who smashed 63 off 45 deliveries. However, England’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Liam Dawson’s impressive three-wicket haul, prevented Pakistan from pushing past the 170-mark.

England’s chase was anything but smooth. Reduced to 58/4, they were under severe pressure. But captain Harry Brook produced one of the finest innings of the tournament so far. Brook smashed a breathtaking 100 off just 51 balls, shifting the momentum entirely. Despite late breakthroughs from Pakistan’s bowlers, England held their composure to win by two wickets with five balls remaining.

Also READ: Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final qualification scenario after falling to England in Super 8