Pakistan knocked out of T20 World Cup 2024 in first round

Pakistan have been eliminated from the T20 World Cup 2024 after inclement weather in Lauderhill meant points were split between Ireland and USA. USA have qualified for the Super Eight alongside India from Group A, also sealing their berth in the 2026 T20 World Cup.

For Pakistan, though, a torrid tournament culminated in a hasty exit under gloomy skies that epitomised the grim nature of their World Cup campaign. They arrived in the USA with no warm-up games scheduled, and most of their practice sessions were cancelled due to rain. Their unfamiliarity was punished by the home team in their opening fixture as USA pipped them in the Super Over, before Pakistan fell apart chasing 120 against India, losing by six runs.

That left them depending on other results, most significantly the outcome of this particular game in Lauderhill between USA and Ireland. An Irish win would have kept Pakistan alive, with any other outcome giving USA an unassailable lead over Pakistan in the points tally.

Pakistan's only win so far has been a seven-wicket triumph over Canada. They still have one game left as they play Ireland - who were also eliminated as a result of this washout - on Sunday.

However, this does not mean they will have to play the qualifiers to secure a place at the next T20 World Cup, with their current T20I ranking - seventh - sufficient to guarantee a spot at the tournament in 2026, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

This is the earliest Pakistan have ever been knocked out of a T20 World Cup, having played just three games before their fate was sealed. They also suffered group-stage eliminations in 2014 and 2016, but reached at least the semi-finals on every other occasion. No side has reached more finals than Pakistan (England are joint-top with three), and Pakistan won the title in 2009.