New Delhi, February 14, 2026: The excitement of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 group stage has reached a fever pitch. Australia's defeat to Zimbabwe has shaken up Group B, but they are not the only team in jeopardy. Afghanistan and England also face the risk of elimination in the first round. Only eight teams from four groups will advance to the Super-8 stage. Let's explore the standings and the teams at risk in each group.

Group A (India, Pakistan, USA, Netherlands, Namibia)

Both India and Pakistan have secured 4 points, with India leading on net run rate.

Winning their next matches will guarantee both teams a spot in the Super-8.

Risk: Namibia and the Netherlands still have a chance, but it is quite slim.

Group B (Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Australia, Ireland, Oman)

Sri Lanka: 4 points, NRR +3.125 (the strongest)

Zimbabwe: 4 points, NRR +1.984

Australia: 2 points (after losing to Zimbabwe).

Australia's Situation

Australia must win their next two matches against Sri Lanka and Oman. Even with 6 points, their fate will depend on net run rate. If Sri Lanka loses a match, a triangular contest could emerge among three teams. One more loss would mean certain elimination for Australia!

Group C (West Indies, Scotland, England, Italy, Nepal)

West Indies: 4 points (currently at the top)

Scotland: 2 points, with a better NRR

England: 2 points (lost to West Indies, narrowly defeated Nepal).

England's Challenge

England needs to win their next two matches against Scotland and Italy. A loss to Scotland could severely damage their NRR, putting them at risk of elimination. Currently, Scotland and West Indies are strong contenders.

Group D (New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, UAE, Canada)

New Zealand and South Africa: 4 points each.

Afghanistan: 0 points (having lost both matches).

Afghanistan's Path

Afghanistan must defeat UAE and Canada by large margins. Additionally, either New Zealand or South Africa must lose both of their remaining matches. Even reaching 4 points will make it extremely challenging to advance based on NRR. The team that reached the semifinals in 2024 is now on the brink of elimination.

Who Will Make It to the Super-8?

Current strong contenders: Group A → India-Pakistan Group B → Sri Lanka-Zimbabwe Group C → West Indies-Scotland Group D → New Zealand-South Africa.

If an unseeded team (like Zimbabwe or Scotland) qualifies, they will replace a seeded team in the Super-8.

Final Thoughts

With many matches still to play, the outcome of each game could change the dynamics significantly. The fates of giants like Australia, England, and Afghanistan now hinge not only on their victories but also on the results of other matches.