Here’s an updated Equation of where all the teams stand now we’re nearing the completion of the Super Eight stage at the T20 World Cup.
Two semi-finalists have now been confirmed at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, but the last two positions remain firmly up for grabs as the race to be crowned champions continues.
In the current Super Eights stage, the teams have been divided into two groups of four, with only the top two from each of the groups progressing to the semi-finals. While India, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe make up Group 1, Group 2 comprises of England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Here’s where all the teams stand:
Group 1
South Africa (Q), 4 points, +2.890 NRR
The 2024 finalists have emerged as the team to beat, having now confirmed their place in the knockout stages.
After snapping India’s 12-match unbeaten streak in T20 World Cups, the Proteas juggernaut rolled over the West Indies.
Though West Indies recovered to 176/8, South Africa made short work of the challenging total, racing to 177/1 in 16.1 overs. Captain Aiden Markram led the charge with an unbeaten 82.
Another victory against Zimbabwe in their final Super Eights fixture will ensure the Proteas finish in top spot in Group 1 and enter the semi-finals full of confidence.
West Indies, 2 points, +1.791
West Indies unbeaten run in the T20 World Cup came to an end on Thursday, as they suffered a nine-wicket defeat at the hands of South Africa.
However, the two-time former champions are still in the running and will have to win their final Super Eight clash against India on Sunday to confirm their semi-final berth.
A loss to India will see the West Indies miss out on the semi-finals.
They had begun the second stage of the tournament with a swashbuckling win over Zimbabwe, but the loss to the Proteas opened the door for a highly anticipated encounter with India at Eden Gardens on Sunday with a spot in the semis the prize for the victor.
India, 2 points, -0.100
India’s confidence building victory over Zimbabwe on Thursday leaves the Asian side with a simple equation heading into their final Super Eights fixture with the West Indies.
A victory over the West Indies will see India qualify for the semi-finals, while a loss will see them miss out.
If India do qualify then it is likely they will finish the Super Eights behind South Africa in second place in Group 1 and will meet the top-ranked team from Group 2 in the semis.
Zimbabwe, 0 points, -4.475
Zimbabwe’s dream run at the tournament hit a major hurdle after their brutal loss to the West Indies, while their loss to India on Thursday means the African side can no longer qualify for the semi-finals.
They do still have one match to play, with a tough matchup against the Proteas their final contest of the tournament in Delhi on Sunday.
Group 2
England (Q), 4 points, +1.491 NRR
After surviving some anxious moments in the group stage, England have hit their stride at the right time and have locked in a semi-final spot. They opened their Super Eight campaign with a 51-run win over Sri Lanka in Kandy on Sunday, before victory over Pakistan at the same venue on Tuesday.
Sri Lankan spinners thwarted England early on and were able to restrict them to 146/9. Opener Phil Salt was the one that held the English innings together with a well-paced 62. But co-hosts Sri Lanka could not get a partnership going and were bowled out for 95 in 16.4 overs. Will Jacks, who had contributed 21 with the bat, put on an all-round display, claiming 3/22 to script the England fightback.
They backed the performance up with the win over Pakistan, thanks largely to a 51-ball 100 from captain Harry Brook.
Brook piloted England’s chase of 165 in spite of the loss of several partners around him, with Sam Curran (16) and Will Jacks (28) the only teammates to pass double figures.
Earlier, Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton and Liam Dawson combined for seven wickets to thwart Pakistan’s batting effort.
The side face New Zealand in their last Super Eight clash and a push for top spot in Group 2.
New Zealand, 3 points, + 3.050
New Zealand’s impressive 61-run victory over Sri Lanka on Wednesday has allowed them to put one foot in the door for the semi-finals, but they aren’t quite there just yet.
A victory over England in their final Super Eights match would be enough for the Kiwis to progress, while a loss may also prove enough depending on the result of Pakistan’s match with Sri Lanka on the same day.
Pakistan could still overtake New Zealand and grab the final spot in the semis, but the Black Caps would have to lose to England badly and have Pakistan thrash Sri Lanka to ensure their Net Run Rate was superior to the Kiwis.
Pakistan, 1 point, -0.461
A defeat to England after a washout against New Zealand means Pakistan’s fate is not entirely in their hands.
With England already through, a victory for New Zealand over Harry Brook’s side would end Pakistan’s campaign, irrespective of a win over Sri Lanka.
Pakistan are relying on England defeating New Zealand and then knocking off Sri Lanka in their final fixture and their Net Run Rate being superior than the Black Caps at the end of the Super Eights.
It’s not impossible, but Pakistan now need everything to go right if they are to reach the final four.
Sri Lanka, 0 points, -2.800
Since beating Australia in Kandy last week, Sri Lanka have struggled to maintain the momentum. They lost the final group game to Zimbabwe and began Super Eights with a big loss to England.
The defeat against New Zealand in Colombo on Wednesday knocked Sri Lanka out of contention at the T20 World Cup, with the Asian side now only having one match remaining at the tournament.
That contest will come against Pakistan in Kandy on Saturday and Dasun Shanaka’s side will be playing for pride in that fixture with a berth in the knockout stages now out of their reach.
