Nasser Hussain predicts semi-finalists at Women's T20 World Cup 2026

Nasser Hussain predicted the semi-finalists, the team likely to surprise, the leading run-scorer, the highest wicket-taker and the Player of the Tournament for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup.

According to Hussain, this edition of the Women's T20 World Cup is the most open one, with many teams in contention to lift the coveted title. The former England captain said that six-time champions Australia and hosts England are the top two favourites to make it to the semi-finals.

While he believes that the West Indies could throw in a surprise, he backed New Zealand to take the third spot in the semi-finals. Lastly, he picked India to edge out South Africa and make the top four, after having improved their game in recent times.

"Australia and England," Hussain said without hesitation on The ICC Review. I just said West Indies could surprise, but I'm going to go with the reigning champions, New Zealand (as the third). And then I don't know out of India and South Africa, but I'm going to go India because I think they raised their game in big games."

"You saw that in the 50-over World Cup. If you can beat Australia in a 50-over World Cup and then beat South Africa. I think they're slightly better in a big knockout game than maybe a bilateral game as we've seen against South Africa and England. So they are my four. But it could well be South Africa and the West Indies. Who knows? In this format, it is very difficult to predict who'll get out of the group stages," he opined.

The former England captain said that the West Indies could have a good run at the tournament, especially with the likes of Hayley Matthews, Deandra Dottin, and Chinelle Henry in their ranks.

"I've gone through virtually this whole podcast without mentioning the West Indies actually. And you know, they've won this tournament, so I don't know if you can be dark horses and be the West Indies cricket team, but I just think no one's mentioning and for that and they knocked England out in Dubai (at 2024 event)," the cricketer-turned-commentator said.

"When you have Hayley Matthews and Deandra Dottin’s back and Chinelle Henry and I think and they're improving, quite a few of their players do go around playing franchise cricket and a few of them have played here in England in The Hundred. I think that West Indies-New Zealand game in particular, I can see maybe West Indies getting out of the group, actually. They shouldn't be dark horses because they've always been a great sporting nation, but I think no one is mentioning I can see them doing quite well," he added.

Hussain also picked Beth Mooney to be the top run-getter and Lauren Bell as the highest wicket-taker for the tournament. When asked which team would be the toughest to beat, Hussain took Australia's name. He also backed Annabel Sutherland to win the Player of the Tournament award.