State of Play: Equation for teams in race for semis at T20WC

Broadcast details for Men's T20 World Cup 2026

Three semi-finalists have now been confirmed at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, but the last position will go down to the final day of Super Eights action 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 (England) 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), 6 points, +1.096 NRR

After surviving some anxious moments in the group stage, England have hit their stride at the right time and have locked in top spot in Group 2 and a semi-final berth.

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. Their heist to steal points off New Zealand in their final group game cemented their top-placed finish, and they'll now play the second-place finisher in Group 1 for T20 World Cup Final tickets.

It was Will Jacks again to lift for England against the Black Caps, securing his fourth Player of the Match of the campaign, claiming two wickets, and played the finisher's role with the bate to perfection, slamming four fours and a six for an unbeaten 32 off 18 balls.

New Zealand (Q), 3 points, + 1.390

New Zealand's spot in the semi-finals was confirmed on Saturday when Pakistan narrowly defeated Sri Lanka in the final Super Eights clash in Group 2.

While Pakistan did clinch a victory to join the Black Caps on three points in the phase, New Zealand's superior Net Run Rate sees them progress to the final four.

A meeting with South Africa looms for the Black Caps in the semi-finals, though this won't be locked un until the final Super Eight fixtures on Sunday.

Pakistan, 3 points, -0.123

Pakistan narrowly missed out on the semi-finals, despite a victory over Sri Lanka in their final Super Eights fixture.

The Asian side needed to win by enough to catapult their Net Run Rate past New Zealand's, but the margin of victory agaisnt Sri Lanka (five runs) was not enough.

It means Pakistan miss the knockout stages for the second consecutive T20 World Cup.

Sri Lanka, 0 points, -1.950

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 loss to Pakistan on Saturday ended their campaign without a win in the Super Eights.