Shoaib Akhtar Warns India Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 Final vs New Zealand

Shoaib Akhtar warned India ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 final and opined that New Zealand could create pressure with a big total.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar shared his views before the T20 World Cup 2026 final between India and New Zealand. The title match will take place on Sunday, March 8, at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The teams meet in another ICC white-ball final after the Champions Trophy match in January 2025. India won that.

Akhtar said India will enter the match as favourites but noted the pressure on the host side. He also recalled India’s defeat against Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final at the same venue. Akhtar added that pitch conditions could influence the match. He believes a score of 225 or 250 from New Zealand could challenge India.

“If the wicket at Ahmedabad grips and if it’s favourable for spinners, the par score will be around 200 or 175. A safe score would be 200 or more. Now, will New Zealand be able to score 250 or 225 against India? If they do, India will be under significant pressure. It’s also clear as daylight that India will also come fully prepared,” Akhtar said on the Tapmad show ‘Game On Hai’.

“I feel New Zealand might be bogged down in front of India, but India also have the pressure of 1.5 billion people. They have already lost a match in the World Cup final to Australia in Ahmedabad. I see India as the winner out of all this, but for cricket’s sake, it’s high time New Zealand should win this World Cup,” he added.

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Former Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul also shared his views before the T20 World Cup 2026 final. He believes New Zealand possesses the bowling strength to challenge India. He pointed to New Zealand’s recent success in India and their comfort on spin-friendly surfaces.

“New Zealand bowling attack appears stronger. India may come under pressure due to its large population. New Zealand recently won a series in India. They have experience with spin tracks, and India may also think that these guys played well against us and defeated us. New Zealand will have confidence. It will be a good final,” he added.

India will be playing their 4th T20 World Cup final. New Zealand will appear in the final for the 2nd time.