New Delhi, Feb 7 (NationPress) Former Pakistani cricketer Rashid Latif shared insights on the current T20 World Cup dynamics following Pakistan's narrow win over the Netherlands in their opening match. He noted that India's performance against the USA could have significant repercussions for Pakistan's chances of advancing in the tournament.

Pakistan will not face India in their scheduled match at the Men’s T20 World Cup in Colombo on February 15, as the Pakistani government has permitted participation under the condition that they will not compete against India.

Discussing the tournament scenarios, Latif stated, “We have witnessed how conditions have influenced several teams. A loss for India could complicate Pakistan's qualification situation. However, should Pakistan win their next three matches, their chances of progressing would be greatly enhanced.”

Pakistan had a challenging start to their T20 World Cup 2026 journey, managing to secure a three-wicket victory against the Netherlands at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

While acknowledging the strength of the bowling lineup, particularly the spinners, Latif raised concerns regarding the batting structure, team dynamics, and Babar Azam’s performance, urging for clarity and improvement moving forward.

“Although Pakistan emerged victorious, they faced some hurdles,” Rashid Latif remarked to IANS. “The Netherlands' bowling was commendable, revealing some of Pakistan’s vulnerabilities, especially in the middle order.”

Pakistan kicked off their campaign strongly, restricting the Netherlands to 147 all out in 19.5 overs, with Salman Mirza excelling with three wickets, supported effectively by Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, and Saim Ayub.

Latif highlighted concerns about Pakistan’s batting lineup. “There are two players with a history of good performance, but their batting positions have shifted. Babar Azam is now batting at number four, and Fakhar Zaman was absent today after previously batting at number five. Additionally, there are three wicketkeepers in the squad who do not regularly keep wickets for their franchises.”

He added, “The positives include our spin bowling and the top three batters performing reasonably well. However, if Pakistan continues in this manner against the USA and Namibia, they could encounter serious challenges.”

On Babar Azam’s form, Latif commented, “Babar struggled at number three, leading to a drop in the order. Now at number four, which is ideal for him, he should have played a deeper inning. Instead, he opted for an unnecessary shot, putting both himself and the team under pressure. He’s currently facing challenges, and we’ll have to see how he contributes moving forward.”

Regarding a potential India–Pakistan match, Latif mentioned, “The decision lies beyond the players’ control. Both governments will make that call. At this moment, the possibility seems slim. The Pakistani Prime Minister has clearly stated we won’t be playing. What unfolds in the future is uncertain.”