Former England captain Nasser Hussain has tipped Australia, England, India and defending champions New Zealand to reach the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, while identifying West Indies as a side capable of upsetting the favourites in what he expects to be one of the most open editions of the tournament.
Speaking on The ICC Review ahead of the competition, Hussain weighed up the leading contenders for the title and the teams he believes are best equipped to navigate the expanded 12-team tournament.
Australia and hosts England were straightforward selections for the former captain, while reigning champions New Zealand and reigning Women’s Cricket World Cup winners India completed his projected semi-final line-up. “Australia and England. 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.”
India’s recent performances on the global stage appear to have played a significant role in Hussain’s thinking. While acknowledging South Africa’s credentials, he pointed to India’s ability to deliver under pressure in major tournaments as a key differentiator.
“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.” That unpredictability, Hussain suggested, is one of the defining features of T20 cricket, where a handful of standout performances can quickly alter the complexion of a tournament.
Among the teams outside his predicted semi-finalists, West Indies stood out as the side most likely to spring a surprise. The 2016 champions have largely flown under the radar in pre-tournament discussions but possess a squad capable of challenging any opponent on their day.
Hussain highlighted the experience and quality available to the Caribbean side, particularly through captain Hayley Matthews, veteran all-rounder Deandra Dottin and the hard-hitting Chinelle Henry. “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.”
The growing exposure of West Indies players to franchise leagues around the world, combined with their familiarity with English conditions, could prove valuable during the tournament. The side also carries confidence from previous ICC events, having knocked England out of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Hussain believes a crucial group-stage fixture against New Zealand could have a major bearing on their chances of progressing to the knockout rounds. “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.”
While much of the discussion centred on team prospects, Hussain also made a number of predictions for individual honours. He backed Australia’s Beth Mooney to finish as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, citing her consistency and Australia’s likelihood of playing deep into the competition. England fast bowler Lauren Bell was his pick to end the tournament as the highest wicket-taker, while Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland was named as his favourite for the Player of the Tournament award. Those selections were rooted in his belief that Australia are likely to go all the way to the final, making their players strong contenders for the major individual honours.
Loves all things female cricket