Pakistan’s women cricketers have been knocked out of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England, with head coach Wahab Riaz insisting that no opponent had truly outplayed his side and that the team had “beaten themselves”.
The exit was confirmed on June 20 in Southampton, where Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 23 runs at the Rose Bowl. Batting first, Bangladesh posted 123 for 6, with Shorna Akter (39) and captain Nigar Sultana (36) leading the way, while Fatima Sana picked up two wickets for Pakistan, according to the match report. In reply, Pakistan were restricted to 100 for 8, a third straight loss that ended their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
Speaking after the defeat, Riaz did not hide his frustration. “It is very disappointing to be out of the World Cup because from our point of view, I still think that no other team has beaten you,” the Pakistan coach told reporters, as quoted by Geo Super. “It’s you yourself who has got beaten by the other teams. That is the big difference.”
Reflecting on the manner of the collapse against Bangladesh, Riaz pointed to a position of strength that slipped away. “When you are 72 for 2 in 12 overs, [needing] just six runs in an over, and then suddenly — I have no answer for that, to be very honest,” he said in remarks reported by ESPNcricinfo. “You cannot let things go when you have everything in your hand and then at the end you just let things go away easily.”
Pakistan, captained by Fatima Sana, had begun their campaign in Group 1 against difficult opposition. They opened with a defeat to India before going down to South Africa and then Bangladesh, leaving them without a point from their first three outings, per Geo Super.
Their winless run continued against the defending champions. At Headingley in Leeds on June 23, Australia thrashed Pakistan by 113 runs, with Ellyse Perry striking 71 and Australia posting 199 for 7 before bowling Pakistan out for 86. Muneeba Ali’s 32 was the only score of note for the side, the Olympics.com report noted.
Already eliminated, Pakistan closed out their group campaign against fellow strugglers the Netherlands at the County Ground in Bristol on June 27, a fixture both winless sides entered seeking a consolation result, according to ESPNcricinfo’s preview.
For Pakistan, the early departure renews long-standing questions over the depth and consistency of the women’s side at global events. As Riaz framed it, the disappointment lay less in being outclassed than in failing to close out matches within reach — a theme that has shadowed the team across the tournament in England.
