Pakistan cricket will take a long time to recover from the shock of their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign that was over almost as soon as it started.
A devastating Super Over defeat to co-hosts USA and a six-run loss to India put them firmly on the backfoot in a tournament format that afforded almost no room for mistakes. They were now at the mercy of other results going their way in order to progress to the Super Eight stage.
But once the USA v Ireland match in Florida on Friday was washed out, 2022 finalists Pakistan were eliminated from the tournament.
This is one of the lowest points in Pakistan cricket in modern times, especially because the T20 format is where Pakistan have diverted all their attention and resources to.
Some may argue the Pakistan Cricket Board should have seen this coming, especially after multiple structural changes in Pakistan's system, including team leadership, board management, captains and domestic structure. But still, it will be a tough pill to swallow for fans.
Now, the focus of Pakistan shifts to the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka.
Have Pakistan qualified for 2026 T20 World Cup?
Well, not yet. The eight teams who qualify for this year's Super Eight stage automatically qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup. That means Australia, South Africa, India, West Indies, Afghanistan and USA have already booked their spots. Two more teams that make it to the next stage will qualify for the 2026 competition.
According to the rules, the Super Eight teams and the hosts qualify automatically to the next tournament. That means Sri Lanka will also definitely feature in the 2026 edition by virtue of being co-hosts. So in all, nine spots are booked as of now.
A total of 12 teams gain automatic entry into the 2026 tournament – the Super Eight teams, co-hosts and top ranked teams outside of the first two sets. As things stand, the remaining top three ranked teams after the final on June 29 will qualify for the 2026 edition.
Pakistan look safe in that regard as they are currently ranked seventh in the ICC rankings. New Zealand, who also did not qualify for the Super Eight, are placed one spot above them. So these teams should grab two of three automatic spots for the next tournament.
The only hypothetical danger to Pakistan's automatic qualification chances is if England somehow don't qualify for the Super Eight stage, Bangladesh don't qualify either but improve their rankings and Pakistan's ranking sinks further in case they lose to Ireland in their final group game on Sunday.
In that scenario – which is highly unlikely – England, New Zealand and Bangladesh will qualify automatically to the 2026 T20 World Cup and Pakistan will have to play qualifiers. However, the chances of that happening appear very slim as victory over Ireland on Sunday should secure entry into the next World Cup for the South Asian side.
Also, if England qualify for the Super Eight stage, Pakistan's path to the 2026 World Cup will be straightforward.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Types of policy
Term life insurance: this is the cheapest and most-popular form of life cover. You pay a regular monthly premium for a pre-agreed period, typically anything between five and 25 years, or possibly longer. If you die within that time, the policy will pay a cash lump sum, which is typically tax-free even outside the UAE. If you die after the policy ends, you do not get anything in return. There is no cash-in value at any time. Once you stop paying premiums, cover stops.
Whole-of-life insurance: as its name suggests, this type of life cover is designed to run for the rest of your life. You pay regular monthly premiums and in return, get a guaranteed cash lump sum whenever you die. As a result, premiums are typically much higher than one term life insurance, although they do not usually increase with age. In some cases, you have to keep up premiums for as long as you live, although there may be a cut-off period, say, at age 80 but it can go as high as 95. There are penalties if you don’t last the course and you may get a lot less than you paid in.
Critical illness cover: this pays a cash lump sum if you suffer from a serious illness such as cancer, heart disease or stroke. Some policies cover as many as 50 different illnesses, although cancer triggers by far the most claims. The payout is designed to cover major financial responsibilities such as a mortgage or children’s education fees if you fall ill and are unable to work. It is cost effective to combine it with life insurance, with the policy paying out once if you either die or suffer a serious illness.
Income protection: this pays a replacement income if you fall ill and are unable to continue working. On the best policies, this will continue either until you recover, or reach retirement age. Unlike critical illness cover, policies will typically pay out for stress and musculoskeletal problems such as back trouble.
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BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
