Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif has issued a strong warning to the national team ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup against the United States, scheduled to be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Tuesday. The match will be the second meeting between the two teams at the World Cup and Asif believes Pakistan could once again find themselves on the wrong side of the result.“The way things are going, the US will beat Pakistan again. It seems possible in the 2026 T20 World Cup as well. The US will beat Pakistan again in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Guaranteed,” Asif said.
The United States announced their arrival on the global stage when they made their World Cup debut in 2024, beating Pakistan in a dramatic match. Chasing a modest goal, the United States needed 15 points in the final round, and Haris Rauf dropped 14 to send the game into the super round.Pakistan then faltered under pressure, with senior pacer Mohammad Amir hitting three in the super over and conceding 18 runs. Pakistan responded with just 13 runs to hand the US a famous victory.Heading into the Battle of Colombo, Team USA will be eager for a comeback after losing their first game to India and will see this game as an opportunity to repeat their heroics against Pakistan.Meanwhile, Pakistan narrowly escaped death in their first match against Netherlands on Saturday. The 2009 champions were on the verge of another upset, needing 29 points in the final two overs before Faheem Ashraf’s late charge turned the game in their favour.With only the top two teams from Group A advancing to the Super Eight stage, Pakistan cannot afford further missteps, especially after opting out of the February 15 match against India. If they lose to the United States like they did in 2024, they could be eliminated in the group stages of the World Cup again.
