Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir reacted angrily when asked about getting his prediction wrong after India clinched the T20 World Cup 2026 title.
Amir had earlier predicted that India won’t be able to reach the semifinals. However, the Suryakumar Yadav-led side proved him wrong by beating West Indies in a do-or-die Super 8 clash in Kolkata to qualify for the final-four stage.
Despite facing social media backlash, Amir had reiterated that India are not playing good cricket and won’t make the final. His forecast went wrong again as the hosts defeated England in the semifinal in Mumbai.
Ahead of the final, Amir has put his money on New Zealand to lift the coveted trophy. As it turned out, the Men in Bue played their best cricket in the title clash, thrashing the Kiwis by 96 runs in Ahmedabad to become the first team to defend the T20 World Cup title, win it thrice and win it on home soil.
Following the one-side final, Amir was asked what he had to say as his prediction went wrong. The veteran left-armer had an indifferent response as he said India will not be bringing the T20 World Cup trophy to his house.
"They won, that's fine, they'll take the cup home, they won't bring it to my house, well done...," said Amir in a video shared on Instagram.
Reflecting on the summit clash, Amir criticized the Black Caps bowlers for handing the trophy to India. He was baffled by the tactics used by skipper Mitchell Santner, especially not persisting with off-spin against India skipper Abhishek Sharma.
"Credit also goes to New Zealand bowlers in a strange way. They were bowling four-four wides outside the stumps and still getting hit for sixes from there. Very loose bowling. It’s not that India doesn’t deserve credit. But I didn’t understand the strategy. First he bowled Henry, then off-spinner, then Henry again. In two overs Henry gave only 12 runs and suddenly the whole plan was changed. Very strange bowling."
"When you know Abhishek Sharma struggles against off-spin, you should bring that immediately. But they brought Duffy and did strange bowling. Lockie Ferguson today looked like a very normal bowler to me. Three balls wide, two balls off-cutter and then one slot ball — hit for six."
"I have followed New Zealand since 2004-05. I have never seen them under this much pressure. Maybe because of the crowd, maybe because it was a final. But look, Abhishek Sharma is also a young guy. He didn’t do anything the whole tournament. He must have had pressure too. Then somewhere skill level difference comes in. The mental strength of players matters in these matches. And I think India showed that, that’s why they won the final,” said Amir while speaking on Harna Maana Hai show.
Coming to the match, the Men in Blue racked up the highest-ever total in the final of a T20 World Cup after being put into bat, posting a mammoth 255/5 in 20 overs.
Sanju Samson led the way with a knock of 89 in 46 balls. Abhishek Sharma (52 off 21) saved his best for last, smashing the fastest half-century of the tournament, off just 18 balls. Ishan Kishan (54 off 25) and Shivam Dube (26 off 8) also made significant contributions.
With the ball, Jasprit Bumrah (4/15 in 4 overs) and Axar Patel (3/27 in 3 overs) were the pick of the bowlers as India bundled New Zealand out for 159 in 19 overs.
