Pakistan cricket team (AP/PTI)

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign has reached a critical juncture. A win against Namibia in their final league fixture on Wednesday is non-negotiable if Salman Agha’s men are to keep their Super 8 hopes alive. Anything less, and their tournament ends prematurely.The pressure has mounted quickly. After bold claims that this was a stronger outfit than the one that faltered against India in the Asia Cup, Pakistan suffered a familiar 61-run defeat on Sunday. While their clashes with India in the 2022 and 2024 T20 World Cups were tight, they still fell short. Since the Asia Cup, India have now registered four comfortable wins on the trot, reinforcing Pakistan’s struggles in marquee encounters.

Scrutiny has intensified around senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi. Shaheen failed to control the game in the PowerPlay or at the death, returning figures of 1 for 31 in two overs. Babar’s issues against spin continue to surface — his strike-rate against spin since returning to the T20I side stands at 101.70 — raising questions about balance and intent in the middle order.Selection dilemmas loom. Salman Mirza and Fakhar Zaman are in contention should the management opt for changes. Pakistan’s heavy reliance on spin — 13, 16 and 18 overs across three games — also reflects a side still searching for the right combination.Namibia, though eliminated, are not without motivation. With the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon as co-hosts, they are keen to gather momentum. For Pakistan, though, the equation is simple: win or go home.In the other fixture, India face the Netherlands in the night game. Having already secured qualification for the Super 8s with three wins from three matches, India will view this contest as an opportunity to fine-tune combinations and tick a few remaining boxes.Abhishek Sharma is yet to get going in this T20 World Cup, and the team management will be keen for their No. 1 batter to spend valuable time at the crease ahead of the knockout stage. Getting runs under his belt could prove crucial in the business end of the tournament.There could also be changes in the bowling department. Kuldeep Yadav might make way for Arshdeep Singh, who was included as an extra spinner against Pakistan. With qualification already secured, India may use this match to test their bench strength and settle on the most balanced XI for the Super 8s.

Today T20 World Cup matches – Tuesday, 18 February

New Zealand’s captain Mitchel Santner (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: New Zealand were dealt an unexpected blow ahead of their crucial T20 World Cup clash against Canada after skipper Mitchell Santner was ruled out due to illness caused by what stand-in captain Daryl Mitchell described as a “dodgy burger.” With a Super 8 berth within touching distance, New Zealand were forced into a late reshuffle at the toss as Canada elected to bat first on Tuesday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“Mitch had a bit of a dodgy burger last night and he’s not feeling too great today, so hopefully he’s good to go in 24 hours,” Mitchell said, underlining the suddenness of the setback. All-rounder Cole McConchie was drafted in as a like-for-like replacement, with Mitchell adding, “Cole comes in for Santner as well, so again it’s a very similar role. He’ll be excited to get the opportunity.”Live Score: New Zealand vs CanadaThe Black Caps were already managing another enforced absence, with pace spearhead Lockie Ferguson returning home for the birth of his first child. His replacement, Kyle Jamieson, was welcomed back into the XI. “Firstly excited for Lockie to have his first baby and he’ll be back soon, but Kyle Jamieson comes in for him, so it’s a like for like replacement, which is good,” Mitchell said.Despite the disruptions, the stakes remain clear. A third win in Group D would seal New Zealand’s place in the Super 8s, keeping their campaign firmly on track after earlier victories over Afghanistan and the UAE and a setback against South Africa. Mitchell expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt.“It brings different challenges. A number of us have played quite a few games here… so we understand the conditions. We’ll assess the surface quickly and adapt as the game unfolds,” he said.

United States’ Saurabh Netravalkar, second left, celebrates with teammates (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Shadley van Schalkwyk maintained his impressive run with the ball, claiming two key wickets as the USA limited Namibia to 168/6 in 20 overs to secure a commanding 31-run victory in their final T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday. The win marked USA’s second in succession and kept their Super 8 ambitions alive. However, their qualification hopes now hinge on either India or Pakistan losing both of their remaining group fixtures by significant margins. Set a daunting 200-run target, Namibia began confidently. Openers Jan Frylink and Louren Steenkamp scored briskly at over ten runs per over while keeping the required rate under control. The breakthrough came in the fifth over when van Schalkwyk dismissed Frylink, who made 19 off 15 balls, leaving Namibia 57/1 at the end of the powerplay. Louren continued to counterattack, adding 45 runs with Loftie-Eaton, who struck 28 off 17 balls with four boundaries. Louren reached his half-century in 33 balls but fell for 58 off 39 deliveries, including five fours and three sixes, when Shubham Ranjane deceived him with a slower ball in the 13th over. Captain Gerhard Erasmus followed soon after for 6, and Namibia could not recover. JJ Smit and Zane Green, who retired out in the 18th over, struggled to keep pace as the asking rate climbed. Van Schalkwyk returned figures of 2/30, while Sourabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan and Ranjane took one wicket apiece. Earlier, half-centuries from captain Monank Patel and Sanjay Krishnamurthi powered the USA to 199/4. Monank and Shayan Jahangir put on 68 for the first wicket, with USA reaching 65 without loss in the powerplay. Shayan made 22 before debutant Willem Myburgh struck. Monank brought up his fifty in 27 balls and became the first USA batter to reach 1000 T20I runs. After Monank (52) and Saiteja Mukkamalla (17) fell in quick succession, Milind Kumar and Sanjay added 87 runs to wrest back control. Sanjay smashed 68 not out off 33 balls, including four fours and six sixes, while Milind contributed 28 off 20. Brief Scores: USA 199/4 (Sanjay Krishnamurthi 68*, Monank Patel 52, Milind Kumar 28; Willem Myburgh 2-22, Gerhard Erasmus 2-27) beat Namibia 168/6 (Louren Steenkamp 58, JJ Smit 31; Shadley van Schalkwyk 2-30, Shubham Ranjane 1-6) by 31 runs.