Cricket fans love a big prediction especially if it is about the World Cup final and this one is already creating buzz.
Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has boldly predicted that the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be a dream clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. The final is scheduled for March 8 and according to Basit Ali, Salman Ali Agha-led Pakistan side will go all the way to face India in the title match.
Basit Ali, who represented Pakistan in 19 Tests and 50 ODIs between 1993 and 1996, made this statement during a Pakistani TV show. When host Shoaib Malik asked him to name his four semi-finalists for the tournament, Basit Ali didn’t hesitate. He said India and Pakistan would not only reach the semi-finals but also end up playing the final against each other.
Apart from the two Asian giants, Basit Ali picked West Indies and New Zealand as the other semi-finalists.
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal, who was also part of the discussion, had a slightly different view. He chose India, Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa as his top four teams for the knockout stage.
Here is the video clip:
https://x.com/TsMeSalman/status/2024568756962197853
Click to watch this video directly on X
As the tournament enters the Super 8s stage, the competition is heating up. India, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe are placed in one group, while Pakistan, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka are in the other.
Pakistan begin their Super 8s campaign against New Zealand on February 21 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. They will then face England on February 24 in Pallekele, followed by a clash against Sri Lanka at the same venue on February 28.
India, meanwhile, start their Super 8s journey against South Africa on February 22 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, a repeat of the 2024 T20 World Cup final. They will then take on Zimbabwe in Chennai at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on February 26, before facing two-time champions West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 1.
If Basit Ali’s prediction comes true, fans could be in for one of the most thrilling finals in the T20 World Cup history.
