The final week of the group stage delivered another high-voltage triple-header as Pakistan sealed qualification in style while India and South Africa underlined their title credentials with unbeaten finishes.
Wins in Ahmedabad, Colombo and New Delhi reshaped the standings and confirmed the Super Eight line-up, with momentum now firmly on the side of the traditional heavyweights.
India hold nerve to outlast Netherlands in Ahmedabad
At the Narendra Modi Stadium, India overcame early jitters to post 193/6 after choosing to bat against Netherlands.
Aryan Dutt struck twice inside the powerplay to remove Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, but Shivam Dube flipped the script with a blistering 66 off 31 balls, launching six towering sixes as India hammered 75 runs in the final five overs.
The Dutch threatened through Bas de Leede and Colin Ackermann’s rapid stand, yet Varun Chakaravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah squeezed the chase at the death before Dube closed it out to secure a 17-run victory and a flawless group campaign.
Farhan ton powers Pakistan into Super 8s
Pakistan confirmed their knockout berth with a crushing 102-run win over Namibia at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Cricket Ground.
Opening batter Sahibzada Farhan battled cramps to produce a magnificent unbeaten 100 off 58 balls, guiding Pakistan to a commanding 199/3 in a must-win encounter.
Namibia began briskly but collapsed once spin took over, with Shadab Khan and Usman Tariq slicing through the middle order as Pakistan wrapped up their biggest-ever Men’s T20 World Cup victory and marched confidently into the Super Eight stage.
Proteas stay perfect against UAE
Earlier in New Delhi, South Africa produced another clinical display to defeat United Arab Emirates (UAE) by six wickets and top their group unbeaten.
Corbin Bosch’s superb 3/12 and sharp spells from Anrich Nortje restricted UAE to 122/6 before the chase was wrapped up in just 13.2 overs.
Captain Aiden Markram set the tone with a quickfire cameo while Dewald Brevis and Ryan Rickelton calmly steered the Proteas home to extend their winning streak.
Momentum building ahead of Super 8s
With India and South Africa yet to taste defeat and Pakistan peaking at the right time, the balance of power is shifting as the tournament enters its decisive phase.
The Super 8s now promise heavier clashes, higher stakes and little room for error as cricket’s giants prepare for a knockout sprint toward the trophy.
