The tenth version of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is ready to ignite the cricketing world, working from February 7 to March 8, 2026. This landmark event is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with high-octane matches unfold throughout iconic venues like Mumbai’s Wankhede, Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, and Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium. A complete of 20 nations are competing, together with conventional giants and rising stars like Scotland and Italy. The expanded format options 4 teams of 5, main right into a high-stakes Tremendous 8 stage and grand finale in Ahmedabad.
No Pakistan! Michael Vaughan reveals 4 semifinalists for T20 World Cup 2026
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has stirred vital debate by naming his remaining 4 contenders whereas pointedly excluding Pakistan from the lineup. Regardless of the Males in Inexperienced’s current medical 3-0 T20I collection sweep over Australia, Vaughan has opted for a “protected” high 4 consisting of India, England, Australia and New Zealand.
My 4 T20 World Cup semi finalists might be … India , England , NZ & Australia … #OnOn #India
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 2, 2026
His snub comes at a time when Pakistan’s marketing campaign is clouded by administrative drama; the Pakistan authorities has formally directed the workforce to boycott their high-profile February 15 conflict in opposition to India in Colombo. Whereas Pakistan intends to play their different Group A matches in opposition to the USA, Netherlands and Namibia, the potential lack of factors from a walkover in opposition to India makes their path to the Tremendous 8s extremely precarious. Vaughan’s prediction means that even with their deadly bowling assault and improved center order, the political volatility and the ‘darkish horse’ consistency of New Zealand would possibly push the 2009 champions out of the knockout image.
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T20 World Cup legacy of the chosen 4 contenders
The 4 groups backed by Vaughan carry a few of the most spectacular resumes in T20 World Cup historical past. India, the defending champions after their 2024 triumph, additionally secured the inaugural title in 2007 and boast the very best win share within the event’s historical past at 67.30%. England and Australia characterize the elite tier of tactical T20 cricket; England are a two-time champion (2010, 2022) and holds the file for the very best profitable chase within the event’s historical past.
Australia, although having just one T20 title from 2021, stays essentially the most constant throughout all ICC codecs and lately reached the 2024 Tremendous 8s with a veteran squad. In the meantime, New Zealand justifies its ‘perpetual darkish horse’ tag with an uncanny potential to succeed in the enterprise finish of tournaments, having featured within the 2021 remaining and a number of semifinals. In distinction, whereas Pakistan have a storied historical past, together with a title in 2009 and two runner-up finishes, their current incapacity to search out stability underneath stress has clearly influenced Vaughan to look elsewhere for his 2026 favorites.
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