Star Pakistan pacer Salman Mirza has sent a legal notice to a Pakistani news outlet and a reporter over reports about him during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. He said the reports were “false, malicious, and highly defamatory”.

The left-arm pacer shared the update on Instagram on Thursday. The reports claimed that he misbehaved with a woman at a hotel in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

According to earlier reports, the incident happened before Pakistan’s final Super 8 match against Sri Lanka. It was reported that a female housekeeping staff member raised an alarm, and hotel staff quickly came to the scene. The matter was also reportedly reported to the Pakistan team’s media manager.

Salman Mirza's Instagram story. 🤯

- The legal notice has been sent to ARY News and Shahid Hashmi. pic.twitter.com/Ta7DlneMtc

— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) March 12, 2026

Also read -Multan Sultans owner says Pakistan Cricket Board demanded tweet deletion to renew PSL contract

Salman Mirza demands an apology and compensation over ‘false’ report

The Pakistan speedstar has taken legal action after a report claimed that an unnamed Pakistan cricketer misbehaved with a female hotel staff member in Sri Lanka during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The report was linked to a journalist from ARY News, and Mirza’s name was reportedly mentioned. The fast bowler strongly denied the claims and said the report was false and harmful to his reputation.

A few days earlier, Mirza shared an Instagram story and warned that he would take legal action. He wrote: “An absurd news item is circulating on media, and I strongly condemn this sort of cheap journalism. No media house can air any unverified news. #PakistanCricketBoard has already denied this baseless and fake news, and I’m going to take legal action against #ShahidHashmi (journalist), who works for ARY News. This sort of filthy reporting must be banned, and the #GovernmentofPakistan must take action against such people!”

He also repeated his criticism in another statement on social media, saying: “An absurd news is circulating in the media, and I strongly condemn this sort of cheap journalism. Any media house can’t air any unverified news.”

In the legal notice sent on Thursday, Mirza demanded that the journalist retract the report and withdraw the statements made about him. He also asked for an unconditional and public apology, along with PKR 100 million in compensation for the damage caused to his reputation.

Meanwhile, Mirza played only one match in the T20 World Cup 2026. He scored an unbeaten 2 runs against England and did not take any wickets. Pakistan had a disappointing campaign and were knocked out in the Super 8 stage. They only defeated the Netherlands, Namibia, the USA and Sri Lanka in the tournament. The opening batter, Sahibzada Farhan, has scored the most runs for Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2026 with 383 runs.

Former Indian captains MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma walked together with the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Dhoni and Rohit are both T20 World Cup–winning captains, and Rohit is the defending champion. Dhoni was the first captain to lift the trophy in 2007.

MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma were the captains when India previously won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. In the first edition of the tournament in 2007, Dhoni led India to the title against Pakistan in the final at Wanderers Stadium.

The legendary pair was also joined by Jay Shah and Uday Shankar, the CEO of Star India.

Watch the special moment below.

Mahi 🤝 RO!

The first captain to win this trophy along with the last captain to win this trophy! 🤩🏆

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | FINAL | #INDvNZ | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/Tz1DBSb4nT pic.twitter.com/Ig0jrpthux

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 8, 2026

Also read -Watch: Sanju Samson & Abhishek Sharma smash Jacob Duffy for 15-run over in IND vs NZ T20 World Cup 2026 final

A Special Moment Before the T20 World Cup Final

Rohit Sharma was part of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup–winning team and played an important role in that victory. Seventeen years later, he became captain and led India to another title in the 2024 edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Rohit played in every T20 World Cup before retiring from the format after the last edition. Later, he was named an ambassador for the 2026 tournament. He attended India’s matches in Mumbai and also the India vs Pakistan game in Colombo.

It was a heartwarming moment for fans when MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma walked together with the trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Many fans hope that India’s current captain Suryakumar Yadav will also join them after the final on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Santner, captain of the New Zealand national cricket team, won the toss and chose to bowl first against the defending champions, the India national cricket team. New Zealand made one change, bringing in fast bowler Jacob Duffy instead of all-rounder Luke McConchie. India kept the same team that played against the England cricket team in the semi-final in Mumbai.

Before the toss, the closing ceremony entertained the crowd. Global pop star Ricky Martin performed famous songs like Livin' la Vida Loca and The Cup of Life.

Indian artists Sukhbir Singh and Falguni Pathak also performed and added more energy to the show in Ahmedabad. Sukhbir, known as the “Prince of Bhangra,” sang popular Punjabi songs like Oh Ho Ho Ho with a lively dance group. Pathak, known as the “Dandiya Queen,” performed Gujarati folk and Bollywood songs with around 50 dancers.

Ricky Martin ended the show with his hit songs María and La Copa de la Vida, which made the packed stadium cheer loudly.

The final match of the ICC T20 WC 2026 will be played between India and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Team India defeated England by 7 runs in the 2nd semi-final, while New Zealand defeated the Proteas by 9 wickets in the 1st semi-final. Finn Allen has been in red-hot form for New Zealand.

On the other hand, Sanju Samson scored two consecutive half-centuries. Now both teams are in the final and will compete for the trophy. India holds a strong record against the Kiwis in this shortest format. However, the Kiwis won all three matches against India in the ICC T20 WC, making this an exciting battle to watch.

IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Today: Final Match, Pitch Report, Playing XI & Fantasy Tips

IND vs NZ Final Match Details

• Match: India vs New Zealand
  
• Tournament: ICC T20 WC 2026
  
• Date & Time: 8 March 2026 & 7:00 PM
  
• Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
  
• Live Streaming: Jio Hotstar, DD Sports

IND vs NZ Today Match Safe Picks 

Safe Batting Picks

• Sanju Samson: In stellar form, reliable run-scorer.
  
• Shivam Dube: High-impact player (209 runs, 5 wickets).
  
• Ishan Kishan: In stellar form (263 runs).
  

Safe Bowling Picks

• Jasprit Bumrah: Crucial for death overs.
  
• Lockie Ferguson: New Zealand Key Bowler.
  

Safe Wicketkeeper Pick

• Tim Seifert: Inform top-order batsman
  

Safe All-Rounder Picks

• Hardik Pandya: Consistent all-rounder (199 runs, 8 wickets).
  
• Rachin Ravindra: Top wicket-taker for NZ (11 scalps).
  

IND vs NZ Captain & Vice-Captain Choices

Small League Captain Choices 

• Rachin Ravindra
  
• Hardik Pandya
  

Grand League Captain Choices 

• Abhishek Sharma
  
• Finn Allen
  

Best Vice-Captain Options

• Ishan Kishan
  
• Sanju Samson
  

IND vs NZ Probable Playing XI

India Probable XI: Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Surya Kumar Yadav, N. Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy/Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand Probable XI: Tim Seifert (WK), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson

IND vs NZ Toss Prediction

• In this high-voltage clash between India and New Zealand, the captain winning the toss is likely to opt to bat first, considering the last 5 match trends.
• Three out of the last five matches have been won by the batting first side on this ground.
• In the second innings, the Dew factor may play a significant role. Dew makes it hard for bowlers to grip the ball, which in turn makes batting easier.

IND vs NZ Final Match Preview:

The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 has now reached its final stage, where the final match will be played between two of the best teams in the world, India and New Zealand, on Sunday evening at Narendra Modi Stadium. India's last two matches have proved to be very exciting. India made it to the final of the tournament by defeating England by 7 runs in a nail-biting match in the second semi-final.

On the other hand, New Zealand defeated a dangerous-looking South Africa by nine wickets in the semi-final, thanks to Finn Allen's blistering innings, to reach the final. India has already lifted the World Cup trophy twice, but if New Zealand wins this match, it will be their first experience.

NZ vs IND Today Match Prediction – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Final | Who Will Win?

Recent Performance: 

IND: W, W, W, L, W

NZ: W, W, W, L, W

IND vs NZ Match Details:

• Series/Tournament: ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026
• Match: IND vs NZ 
• Date: 8th Mar. 2026
• Match Start Time: 07:00 PM IST
• Stadium/Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India 
• Live Score: cricketwinner.com
• Live Streaming: JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar

Head-to-Head Stats:

Weather Report:

• Temperature: 35–36°C
  

• Rain Chances: 3%
  

• Conditions: Clear

 The weather is expected to be favourable during this match with 20% humidity.

Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India, Pitch Stats: 

The pitch for the 2026 T20 World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium is generally considered to be high-scoring and batsman-friendly. It will feature a mix of red and black soil, which is expected to provide good pace and bounce. Due to the large boundary size, spinners are less likely to get much turn on this pitch. Therefore, this surface generally favours power-hitting batsmen and fast bowlers who hit the deck.

• Win Batting First: 62%
  

• Win Bowling First: 38%
  

• Best Suited For: Pacers (67%)

Average Scores

• Average 1st Innings: 188
  

• Average 2nd Innings: 159

Winning the toss and batting first could be the ideal strategy.

IND vs NZ Probable Playing 11

India (IND) Probable 11:

Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Surya Kumar Yadav, N. Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand (NZ) Probable 11:

Tim Seifert (WK), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson

Top Picks from India 

Top Picks from New Zealand 

Cricket Winner Player Insight:

• Ishan Kishan is a left-handed top-order batter and the highest run getter for Team India. He has been scoring 263 runs thus far at an average of 32.88.
• Sanju Samson, this batsman, who single-handedly took Team India to the final in the last match, could play a crucial innings in this match as well.
• Rachin Ravindra is a reliable all-rounder for Kiwi’s, who has accumulated 128 runs and grabbed 11 wickets thus far. 
• Finn Allen is the right-handed top-order batter who was awarded Player of the Match for his blistering inning of 100 runs of just 33 balls.

IND vs NZ Captain & Vice-Captain Choices:

IND vs NZ Fantasy Team Suggestion:  

IND vs NZ Dream11 Tips: 

Match Prediction – Who Will Win

India has more in-form players like Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and Jasprit Bumrah, which makes their team look stronger. Additionally, they have the advantage of playing on their homeground. However, NZ holds strong records against India in the ICC T20 WC, making this an exciting contest to watch.

Prediction: IND to win.

Disclaimer: This analysis and prediction are based on team form, pitch conditions, and available data. It is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee any result. 

Team India defeated England in a thrilling semifinal match on Wednesday to enter the final of the T20 World Cup. India scored a huge total of 253 runs. England came very close to the target, but India won the match by just seven runs.

The game had many exciting moments and ups and downs. In the end, India kept their calm and secured the victory. After the match, a little girl went viral on social media. She was seen praying during the national anthem before the match, and many fans are now calling her India’s lucky charm. Some fans are also jokingly asking that she should be taken to Ahmedabad for the final.

The girl walked out with Sanju Samson for the national anthem before the match. Samson later became the hero of the game. In the video, the girl was seen praying with folded hands while singing India’s national anthem. The clip quickly went viral online.

Her prayers seemed to work for Samson, who scored 89 runs and won the Player of the Match award.

Watch the viral little girl praying video here.

INDIA STANDS FOR INDIA🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/hnQrvxUfY2

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 5, 2026

Also read -India vs New Zealand rivalry achieves rare ICC finals milestone

India will play the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand

The Indian team has reached Ahmedabad for the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand on Sunday, March 8. The men in blue have not had good memories at this stadium. They lost the ODI World Cup final in 2023 against Australia. They also lost a match in the ongoing T20 World Cup here against South Africa, failing to chase 188 runs and losing by 76 runs.

All eyes are now on the pitch at Narendra Modi Stadium. The pitch was criticised after the ODI World Cup final in November 2023. India is coming off a strong batting performance and hopes for another flat pitch in the final.

But New Zealand has a strong opening pair. Finn Allen scored a 33-ball century, the fastest in T20 World Cup history. Tim Seifert can also score very fast on his day. It will be interesting to see if the 250-run mark can be crossed in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Here are fans’ reactions on social media to bring the little girl:

Ready to pay the flight tickets for this kid to take her to Ahmedabad on Sunday 🙏 pic.twitter.com/zKw6rNH0gI

— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) March 6, 2026

Dear @MarriottBonvoy, get this kid on a plane to Ahmedabad for Sunday! It’s an order! pic.twitter.com/y5NOxgnHBU

— Manish Batavia (@manishbatavia) March 6, 2026

Believe it or not, this kid single-handedly prayed the Indian team to victory pic.twitter.com/mmige9tGgh

— Jet Senpai (@MykeJet) March 6, 2026

🚨 BREAKING NEWS | Sports • Viral Fan Moment
Date: 06 March 2026 📅

Severity: NON-SERIOUS

Headline
• Young fan’s prayer goes viral after India’s semi-final win

What Happened
• India defeated England in the T20 World Cup semi-final at Wankhede Stadium.
• A young girl… pic.twitter.com/brVO5M1U6J

— Deepak_CH (@deepakchannel_) March 6, 2026

Give this Kutty Paapa CSK contract for the next couple of months. Can't risk anything. pic.twitter.com/nlHtXCdaRz

— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire) March 6, 2026

The real reason why Sanju Samson played a great innings today ♥️ pic.twitter.com/S7EPQ3fbPo

— Beast (@Beast__07_) March 5, 2026

That cute girl with Sanju Samson won by heart 😭🩷
During National Anthem🇮🇳🇮🇳

#INDvsENG#ICCT20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/JzAX62QbR8

— ZeroFilterMemes (@known_tounknown) March 5, 2026

India vs New Zealand Squads

India: Suryakumar Yadav(C), Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan, Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma.

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Cole McConchie

Reserves: Ben Sears.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026reaches its exciting climax with the final between India and New Zealand on Sunday, March 8. The match will be played at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The winner will lift the trophy and be crowned world champions. Before the final, fans will enjoy a spectacular closing ceremony headlined by global music star Ricky Martin.

Besides this, another surprise awaits Indian fans. This time, the surprise comes from Indian Railways.

Western Railway has announced two special trains to help fans travel easily for the IND vs NZ T20 World Cup 2026 final in Ahmedabad. The trains will run from Mumbai Central to Ahmedabad this weekend, where the final will take place at Narendra Modi Stadium. Return trains have also been arranged to make the journey back smooth and easy.

Notably, India entered the final as defending champions and are just one win away from becoming the first team to lift the T20 World Cup twice in a row. After a strong performance against England in the semi-final, the Men in Blue look in excellent shape. Sanju Samson has been in top form at the top of the order, while captain Suryakumar Yadav’s smart leadership and Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling give India a big edge.

🏏🚆 Special Trains for T20 Men’s World Cup Final

To clear the extra rush of passengers during the T20 Men’s World Cup Final, AC Superfast Special Trains on Demand (TOD) on Special Fare will run between Bandra Terminus – Ahmedabad.

🔹 Train No. 09029 | Bandra Terminus –…

— DRM - Mumbai Central, WR (@drmbct) March 6, 2026

Also read -Watch: Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad reveals team’s new jersey ahead of IPL 2026

Mumbai to Ahmedabad Special Train Timings

India will play New Zealand in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday, March 8. The Men in Blue reached the final for the second time in a row after defeating England in a close match at Wankhede Stadium.

Special Train Details

How to Book Mumbai to Ahmedabad Tickets?

Booking will open in PRS from 08:00 hrs on 07.03.2026. Tickets will also be available for online booking on the IRCTC website.

Final match schedule & timings

Gates Open: 3:30 P.M. IST
Performances Begin: 5:30 P.M. IST
Final Match Start: 7:00 P.M. IST
Toss Time: 6:30 P.M. IST
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026

India vs New Zealand Squads

India: Suryakumar Yadav(C), Sanju Samson, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan, Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma.

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Cole McConchie 

Reserves: Ben Sears.

The Men in Blue will face New Zealand in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Narendra Modi Stadium. The Indian team secured their place in the final by defeating England by 7 runs in the second semi-final. Batting first, they set a formidable target of 253 runs in 20 overs. Indian opening batsman Sanju Samson played an excellent innings of 89 runs off 42 balls, while Shivam Dube scored 43 runs off 25 balls, and all-rounder Hardik Pandya contributed 27 runs off just 12 balls. Adil Rashid and Will Jacks picked up two wickets each for England. While chasing the target, England managed to score 246 runs in 20 overs and lost the match by seven runs.

On the other hand, New Zealand secured their place in the final by defeating South Africa by 9 wickets in the first semi-final. New Zealand chased down the target of 170 runs in just 12.5 overs. Opening batsman Finn Allen played a brilliant innings, scoring 100 runs off just 33 balls, including 10 fours and 8 sixes, and played a crucial role in helping his team secure the victory.

Also Read: ENG vs IND Dream11 Prediction Today: 2nd Semi-Final, Pitch Report, Playing XI & Fantasy Tips

India vs New Zealand Match Details

• Match: New Zealand vs India, Final

• Date: 8th March 2026

• Time: 7:00 PM IST

• Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad 

• Live Streaming: JioHotstar 

NZ vs IND Weather Report

Pitch Report - Narendra Modi Stadium

The surface at Narendra Modi Stadium provided an advantage to stroke play, particularly during night matches, and the teams chasing have had better conditions as the evening goes on. 

• Win Batting First: 62%

• Win Bowling First: 38%

Average Scores

• Average 1st Innings: 188

• Average 2nd Innings: 159

NZ vs IND Recent Form

NZ vs IND Head-to-Head Record (T20I)

• NZ Wins - 11

• IND Wins - 18

Top Batters to Watch – NZ vs IND

• Finn Allen (NZ): 289 runs in this tournament 

• Tim Seifert (NZ): 274 runs in this tournament 

• Ishan Kishan (IND): 263 runs in this tournament 

Top Bowlers to Watch – NZ vs IND

• Varun Chakravarthy (IND): 13 wickets in this tournament 

• Adil Rashid (NZ): 11 wickets in this tournament 

• Rachin Ravindra (NZ): 11 wickets in this tournament 

NZ vs IND Today Match Prediction Scenarios

Scenario 1: If NZ bats first

• Powerplay Score: 50–60

• Predicted Total: 170–175

• Match Result: IND to win

Scenario 2: If IND bats first

• Powerplay Score: 55–70

• Predicted Total: 180–200

• Match Result: IND to win

Who Will Hit the Most Sixes?

Who Will Hit the Most Fours?

NZ vs IND Predicted Playing XIs

India

Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy/Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand 

Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson 

Why India is the favourite

• Home conditions benefits 

• Strong middle-order 

• Good pace attack

India vs New Zealand – Key Match Facts

• No host nation has ever won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

• No team has secured consecutive titles in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup history.

• The Indian team has yet to defeat New Zealand in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

• The New Zealand team has won two ICC trophies, both against India.

• The Indian team has lost only two ICC matches in the last four years, both at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

NZ vs IND Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today?

Based on current form, team balance, and superior batting strength, India are the favourites to win this ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Final. Jasprit Bumrah, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan are expected to be the key performers.

Winning chances

IND: 55%

NZ: 45%

NZ vs IND Match FAQs

Q1. Where can I watch the NZ vs IND live match?

You can watch the live streaming on the JioHotstar 

Q2. Who will win today’s NZ vs IND match?

According to today's match prediction, India are the favourites to win this encounter.

Q3. What time will the NZ vs IND match start?

The match begins at 7:00 PM IST 

India are set to clash with England in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final on March 5 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. The stakes are high, as the winner secures a spot in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on March 8. Both teams enter the contest with strong form and a desire to perform at their peak. India will rely on their blend of experience and explosive talent, while England will aim to leverage their depth and momentum. Fans can expect an intense, tactical battle with every over potentially turning the match.

Their most recent high-pressure encounter came during the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final at Providence Stadium, where India delivered a comprehensive performance to outclass England. Opting to bat first, India set a challenging total of 171/7 in 20 overs. The innings was marked by controlled aggression, strategic partnerships, and timely acceleration. England’s bowlers struggled to contain India’s key hitters, although Chris Jordan provided a bright spot with three crucial wickets. The match highlighted India’s all-round strength and mental composure in crucial moments, giving them the edge in tight, high-stakes matches against top-tier opposition.

Captain Rohit Sharma was the standout performer for India, scoring a fluent 57 off 39 balls, striking six fours and two sixes at a brisk pace. He received strong support from Suryakumar Yadav, who contributed 47 runs, and Hardik Pandya, whose 23 off 13 balls added late momentum. A decisive 73-run partnership between Rohit and Suryakumar for the third wicket laid the foundation for India’s competitive total. England’s Chris Jordan was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/37, but India’s balanced attack ensured dominance. This semi-final promises another thrilling contest between two of T20 cricket’s most formidable sides.

England fell short against India in T20 World Cup 2024

England’s chase in the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final never found any rhythm, as they were bowled out for a modest 103 in just 16.4 overs, falling far short of India’s target of 171. Harry Brook top-scored with 25, while captain Jos Buttler contributed 23, and Jofra Archer chipped in with 21. The rest of the batting line-up struggled to cope with India’s disciplined bowling attack, which consistently applied pressure and prevented any partnerships from flourishing. Every bowler made a vital contribution, ensuring that England’s innings never gained momentum and that India’s dominance remained unchallenged throughout the match.

The Indian bowlers were exceptional, with Axar Patel taking 3/23, Kuldeep Yadav claiming 3/19, and Jasprit Bumrah producing a miserly 2/12 to seal a comprehensive victory. Riding the confidence of this semi-final triumph, India went on to defeat South Africa in the final to lift their second T20 World Cup title. As defending champions, India enter the 2026 tournament eager to replicate that success. Meanwhile, South Africa and New Zealand face off in the other semi-final on March 4 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, with the winner set to challenge India in the final on March 8 at Ahmedabad.

Mohammad Kaif has strongly criticized Mohammad Amir for his controversial remarks about Abhishek Sharma and the Indian team during the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Amir sparked a major debate in the cricket fraternity after dismissing Abhishek as “nothing but a slogger.” The Pakistani pacer also predicted that the Men in Blue would fail to reach the semi-finals of the global tournament. His comments quickly spread across social media, drawing sharp reactions from fans and experts who felt the remarks were unnecessarily harsh and lacked balanced cricketing assessment.

Kaif responded firmly to Amir’s statements, suggesting that such provocative comments are often made merely to remain in the spotlight. The former Indian cricketer advised fans not to attach too much significance to Amir’s remarks, as they were not rooted in sound cricketing reasoning or analysis. According to Kaif, opinions expressed without proper evaluation of a player’s ability or match situations should not be taken seriously. He emphasized that the Indian team should stay focused on their performances rather than reacting to external criticism.

"Did Amir really not know that India would reach the semifinals? Of course, he knew that the defending champions would make it. But they say these things because it becomes news. We must not give them importance. There is no need for us to come down to their level and reply," he said on his YouTube channel on the eve of the second semi-final clash between India and England.

I don't have to say more: Kaif

Mohammad Kaif also took a jab at Mohammad Amir by bringing up the match Pakistan played against the USA during the group stage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. In that match, Amir bowled a number of wides during the Super Over and was unable to contain the USA batters. Therefore, Kaif implied that someone who could not help his team get a win over the USA does not have much credibility when talking boldly about other players or teams. Kaif also mentioned that over the past two editions of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Pakistan has not made it to the semi finals after being eliminated from contention during the group stage in 2024 and going out in the Super 8 round this year; this is disappointing given Pakistan's long and distinguished history in cricket.

"The loss they faced against the USA in 2024 — it was the same bowler who was responsible. In that over, he conceded only one boundary, but bowled too many wides. His balls did not even land on the stumps. Who got scared against that USA team and made his side lose the game? I don't have to say more," Kaif said.

England will face India in Semi Final 2 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, March 5. England has strategised and played tactically well throughout tournament play, culminating in a second place finish in Group C after winning three games against Nepal, Scotland and Italy. The only loss England suffered in group play was to West Indies where they lost by 30 runs while playing in Mumbai. England then went on to dominate the Super Eight stage of the competition winning all three matches and thereby building up momentum going into the knockout match against India.

India also qualified for the semifinals as the last team to do so in this tournament, having achieved four convincing wins during the group phase. India's Super Eight performance started off slowly with a disappointing loss to South Africa causing some pressure on their chances to qualify for the knockout rounds. Under new captain Suryakumar Yadav, India made a nice recovery and secured their place in the knockouts by winning two critical Super Eight matches. As defending champions from last year’s World Cup, India wants to defeat England in this year’s semifinal like they did last year in order to return to the finals again.

See Also: IND vs ENG Today Match Prediction – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, 2nd Semi-Final | Who Will Win?

T20 World Cup 2026, 2nd Semi-Final, ENG vs IND: Live Streaming Details

T20 World Cup 2026, 2nd Semi-Final, ENG vs IND: Probable Playing XI

England (ENG):

Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (WK), Harry Brook (C), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid

India (IND):