Pakistan’s T20 World Cup journey ends with Super 8 stage miss; Shoaib Akhtar’s reaction goes viral

PTC Web Desk: Pakistan’s T20 World Cup journey concluded on a disappointing note on Friday as the team failed to advance to the Super 8 stage. Their elimination came after the United States of America’s match against Ireland was washed out due to rain, which led to the USA being awarded a point. This point was enough to secure the USA a place in the Super 8 stage, marking their debut appearance in the tournament. Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar voiced his disappointment over Pakistan’s unexpected exit.

Pakistan’s World Cup journey is over.

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) June 14, 2024

Heading into their final group stage game against Ireland, Pakistan needed an Irish victory over the USA to keep their hopes alive. However, the match ended in a draw, limiting Pakistan to a maximum of four points. Meanwhile, the USA finished their group campaign with five points from four games, advancing alongside India to the next round from Group A.

Pakistan’s earlier defeat to India in New York was a closely contested game where they failed to chase a target of 120. In their opening match in Dallas, they suffered a surprising Super Over loss to the USA. These back-to-back defeats meant that Pakistan’s chances of advancing to the Super 8 were no longer in their control, relying instead on other results to go in their favour.

Unfortunately, heavy rain and flooding in Fort Lauderdale over the past few days dashed their hopes of progressing.

The USA began the tournament with a strong win over Canada, successfully chasing nearly 200 runs. They then pulled off one of the T20 World Cup’s greatest upsets by defeating Pakistan, and even gave strong title contenders India a tough challenge. The USA’s rise in the tournament was bolstered by their morale-boosting T20I series victory over Bangladesh just before the World Cup.

The US team features eight cricketers of Indian descent, many of whom are on temporary H1-B visas that allow companies to hire overseas employees. This diverse team is working to revive the sport in the USA, which hosted the first-ever international cricket match between the USA and Canada at St George’s Cricket Club in New York back in 1844, 33 years before England and Australia played their first Test match. The USA’s progression to the next round also secures their place in the group stage of the 2026 edition.