Team India registered a five-wicket victory over the West Indies in a must-win Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday (March 1).
As a result, the defending champions set up a semifinal clash with England, scheduled for March 5 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
After India’s win, former Pakistan pace Mohammad Amir was trolled brutally for predicting that Suryakumar Yadav-led side won’t be able to reach the final-four stage.
Amid the trolling, Amir has pointed out a 'controversy' that could have 'knocked India out' of the tournament.
According the Amir, West Indies batter Shimron Hetmyer was wrongly given out in the virtual quarterfinal. The southpaw was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah for 12-ball 27.
During the 12th over of the Caribbean innings, Hetmyer attempted a slog across the line and inside-edged it to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, who made a big appeal alongside Bumrah and umpire Chris Gaffaney raised the finger.
Hetmyer reviewed immediately but UltraEdge showed a spike and the on-field decision was upheld. However, Amir believes the left-hander was not out.
"I feel that Hetmyer's dismissal was controversial. I don't think he was out. If he had stayed there a little longer and the score had reached 220–230, India would have been knocked out today," Amir said on the Pakistani show Haarna Mana Hai.
Coming to the match, West Indies posted a formidable 195/4 in their allotted 20 overs. While Shai Hope (32), Roston Chase (40) and Shimron Hetmyer (27) set the tone with crucial partnerships at the top, Rovman Powell (34*) and Jason Holder (37*) took the Indian bowling attack to the cleaners in the death overs.
During the chase, the Men in Blue were reduced to 41/2 within the powerplay. It was a 58-run stand between Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav (18) which brought the hosts on track. Then Sanju (97* off 50) went on to stitch partnerships with Tilak Varma (27), Hardik Pandya (17) and Shivam Dube (8*) to take India over the line with four deliveries to spare.
While Amir commended Samson’s match-winning knock, he reiterated that India are not playing good cricket and highlighted their weaknesses in bowling and fielding.
"You said they have proved me wrong. Look, where credit is due, it should be given. Sanju Samson played the best innings of his life. I have seen his knocks in the IPL and other matches, but this innings - and that too in a do-or-die game, a knockout - was special," Amir stated.
"But if I analyse it purely from a cricketing point of view, India are not playing good cricket overall. I am still telling you - just check their fielding. They dropped three to four catches and fumbled in the field. Apart from Bumrah, every other bowler is getting hit. India are playing on the strength of just one bowler," he remarked.
