Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has found himself at the centre of social media chatter after a bold prediction about India’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign failed to materialise. The left-arm fast bowler had confidently stated that India would not make it to the semifinals following their defeat to South Africa earlier in the tournament. After the loss to South Africa, there were many questions surrounding India's performance.
Amir was among those who felt the setback would derail their campaign. But India responded strongly, registering back-to-back victories against Zimbabwe and West Indies to secure a place in the semi-finals. Despite India’s qualification, Amir maintained that the team’s campaign could have taken a different turn, highlighting a moment from India’s clash against the West Indies that, according to him, might have changed the outcome.
"If I analyse it from a cricketing point of view, India are not playing good cricket. I am telling you. Check their fielding. They have dropped at least 3-4 catches and fumbled on the field. Except for Bumrah, every bowler is getting smashed. I told you that (Hardik) Pandya never performs against big teams. He went for 40 runs in his 4 overs. They (West Indies) took on Varun Chakravarthy. And the West Indies don't play spin as well as the teams India will face in the semi-finals. I believe that India are still not hot favourites in the tournament," Amir said on the Pakistani television show Haarna Mana Hai.
Amir also said Hetmyer's dismissal was controversial. The incident occurred in the 12th over of the West Indies innings. Shimron Hetmyer attempted to slog a delivery from fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah but ended up edging the ball behind the stumps. Wicketkeeper Sanju Samson completed the catch cleanly. Bumrah appealed, and the on-field umpire raised his finger without hesitation.
"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," he said.