The teams have been finalized for the Super 8 round of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. India, Zimbabwe, South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand will not compete for the top four spots in the tournament.
Super 8 line-up confirmed for T20 World Cup 2026
While India, Zimbabwe, South Africa and West Indies have been placed in Group A for the Super 8 in the tournament, Pakistan, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka have been placed in Group B. This round will begin with Pakistan facing New Zealand on February 21 in Colombo.
Ahead of the Super 8 stage, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali was asked by former captain Shoaib Malik during a segment on ARY News show ‘Har Lamha Purjosh’ to choose the semi-finalists for the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 from Group A and Group B.
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Basit Ali made it to the live show
Firstly, Basit mentioned how the ICC placed undefeated teams from the group stage in Group A, while teams that lost a game in that round were placed in Group B for the Super 8 stage. On this Shoaib jokingly said that the Super Six round is not in the schedule.
Nevertheless, Basit refused to choose the semi-finalists, as he wanted to see the first Super 8 encounter between New Zealand and Pakistan. But after being forced to complete the task, the former Pakistan selector and coach directly selected the finalists for the T20 World Cup 2026.
Basit Ali predicts India vs Pakistan final
Bassi said in the show, “India and Pakistan.” I am telling you, both these teams will play the final.
However, Malik said that Basit has gone too far as the Super 8 round has not started yet. Ultimately, Basit chose India and West Indies from Group A and Pakistan and New Zealand from Group B as his semi-finalists for the tournament. He was confident that India would play the final.
Speaking during the same discussion, Kamran Akmal also chose his semi-finalists. However, he made only one change to Basit’s prediction. Kamran chose South Africa over West Indies, while the remaining teams – Pakistan, New Zealand and India – remained the same.
Basit Ali on T20 World Cup 2026 final.
“Pakistan and India will play the final together.”pic.twitter.com/hTODPsZwcj
-Salman. (@TsMeSalman) 19 February 2026
Super 8 format sparks massive controversy
Meanwhile, the Super 8 format has created a major controversy and the ICC is facing severe criticism. Fans noticed a huge imbalance between the groups. All four group winners – India, Zimbabwe, West Indies and South Africa – have been put together in a Super 8 group.
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The other group has only the runners-up – Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand. This happened because the ICC had decided the team positions through the pre-seeding system before the start of the tournament. Many believe that this format does not reward first-place teams.
The two winners of the group will now be eliminated before the semi-finals, while the runner-up may have an easier path to reaching the top-4. South Africa top their group but are still in a tough position due to the pre-determined rankings.
Fans also felt that the excitement in the final group matches was reduced as the placements were already decided. Despite being co-hosts, Sri Lanka may have to visit India for the semi-finals. The ICC stressed that the schedules of the two countries forced them to take this decision.
