Waqar Younis Analyzes Pakistan's Performance in T20 World Cup Loss to England

In a recent T20 World Cup match, England triumphed over Pakistan, securing a spot in the semi-finals. Waqar Younis analyzed the game, pointing out Pakistan's missed opportunities and the impact of their middle overs. Despite a strong bowling performance from Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan's batting fell short. With only one point from two matches, their chances of advancing depend on their upcoming game against Sri Lanka and other results. Read on for a detailed breakdown of the match and insights from Younis.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 25, 2026, 14:28 IST

Waqar Younis: 'Pakistan Lost Control in Middle Overs'

In a recent match at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, England secured their fifth consecutive semi-final berth with a commanding victory over Pakistan in Pallekele. Former Pakistani cricketer Waqar Younis shared his insights on JioHotstar, discussing the shortcomings of the Pakistan team during the game. He remarked, "Pakistan fell short in the first innings, needing an additional 15-20 runs on that pitch. A score of 175-180 would have been ideal. Brook's entry at number three changed the game; his batting was flawless and he effectively took control. While Pakistan bowled well at times, they lost their grip during the middle overs. The spinners failed to make an impact and allowed too many runs. England's captain led by example, and they rightfully earned their place in the semi-finals."

Match Summary: Brook's Century Secures England's Win

In this encounter, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first. Sahibzada Farhan scored 63 runs off 45 balls, supported by contributions from Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman (25 runs off 16 balls), and Shadab Khan (23 runs off 11 balls), leading Pakistan to a total of 164/9. England's bowlers, Liam Dawson (3/24) and Jofra Archer (2/32), delivered impressive performances, while Jamie Overton also shone with figures of 2/26.

During the chase, Shaheen Shah Afridi's exceptional bowling (4/30) initially put England under pressure at 58/4. However, Brook's remarkable century (100 runs off 51 balls) helped stabilize the innings as he formed partnerships with Sam Curran (16 runs off 15 balls) and Will Jacks (28 runs off 23 balls). England ultimately won the match by two wickets with five balls remaining.

Shaheen's Bowling and Pakistan's Slim Chances

Waqar Younis praised Shaheen Afridi's bowling, stating, "Shaheen displayed excellent control over his length. He focused on hitting the right areas rather than searching for swing, which allowed him to take crucial wickets. It was a quality spell that he can build upon. Pakistan's journey isn't over yet; in the Super 8 stage, net run-rate and other results will be crucial. If they manage to secure another chance, anything is possible."

Currently, Pakistan has only one point from two matches, following a washout against New Zealand. A victory against Sri Lanka in their final game could bring them to three points, but they will need favorable outcomes from other matches and some luck to advance to the semifinals. England has already qualified with four points, while New Zealand and Sri Lanka are also in contention with two matches remaining.

'Missed Opportunities': Younis on Fielding Errors

Reflecting on Pakistan's performance, Younis noted, "Pakistan allowed too many easy runs in the field. They looked sharp when in control, but their intensity waned once the pressure lifted. This is where they missed their chance. A score of 175-180 was within reach. While England bowled well, Pakistan's fielding did not help their cause."

Upcoming Matches

Looking ahead, England will face New Zealand in their final Super Eight match on Friday in Colombo, while Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Saturday.