In an unusual twist in the fortunes of cricket, Pakistan’s fortunes in major cricket tournaments have often soared when Australia has gone out early.
With Australia’s shock group stage elimination from T20 World Cup 2026, fans are again noticing a pattern that has historically worked in Pakistan’s favour.
Social media is left buzzing with comparisons to the past, with prior tournaments, in which Australia’s early exit went hand in hand with the rise of Pakistan.
1992
The story opens with the Cricket World Cup of 1992. Australia lost their way out of the group stages and Pakistan wrote one of the greatest underdog stories in Cricket.
Led by faith, Pakistan won their maiden World Cup trophy, an event engraved forever in the memories of Pakistan cricket fans.
Interestingly, Pakistan’s match played during the group stages against England in that tournament was washed out, which is also similar to the Pakistan vs New Zealand match washing out in 2026.
2009
History repeated itself seventeen years later when it was ICC T20 World Cup in 2009. Once again, the early exit by Australia changed the face of the competition.
Pakistan grabbed the chance by its neck and won a final at Lord’s and won their first T20 World Cup.
2017
The pattern continued in 2017. Australia had exited in the group stage of ICC Champions Trophy and Pakistan (after a crushing opening defeat) had staged a remarkable comeback.
Their emphatic victory over India in the final at The Oval cemented their place in the contemporary cricketing world.
Now, in T20 World Cup 2026, Australia is out early again. Adding to the parallels, Pakistan’s Super Eight match against New Zealand has similarly been washed out like the rain affected England match in 1992.
Fans dare to wonder if history is once again getting ready to repeat itself?
Also read: Is Pakistan playing against India in the Super Eight Stage?
