NEW DELHI: “Pakistan will play the final,” Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan confidently told a fan, hinting at the Men in Green’s T20 World Cup 2026 ambitions. The clip, which has now gone viral on social media, sets the tone ahead of Pakistan’s Super Eights match against England at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.“So you’re here until the semi-finals?” asked a fan, presumably referring to the side’s matches in Sri Lanka.
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Shadab replies: “To the final. Final, inshahallah.” The Pallekele pitch is expected to help the slow bowlers and both teams are likely to rely heavily on their spin attacks. Two-time champions England may not be in top gear yet, but they opened their Super Eights campaign with an impressive 51-run win over Sri Lanka. This win not only increased their net speed but also moved them to the top of the standings. England’s spinners, supported by pacer Jofra Archer, defended a modest total and caused a dramatic collapse in Sri Lanka’s batting line-up.Pakistan, on the other hand, were left frustrated after losing their opening match against New Zealand, leaving them with a single point and little margin for error. They will rely on a diverse arsenal, including the enigmatic spin of Usman Tariq and the experience of Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, to contain England’s batting.However, batting consistency remains a problem for Pakistan. While opener Sahibzada Farhan impressed as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 220 runs from four innings, others like Saim Ayub and skipper Salman Agha are yet to fire. A strong batting performance will be crucial if Pakistan are to overcome a balanced England side.With high stakes, this clash promises to be a fascinating battle between England’s discipline and Pakistan’s diversity. Fans will be keenly watching to see if Shadab Khan’s bold prediction of reaching the finals can come true.
