T20 World Cup: Team India is gearing up for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, Virat Kohli’s side will kick their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on August 24. India won their first warm-up game against England and they will take Australia on October 20. On the other hand, Pakistan also won their first warm-up game against West Indies and will take on South Africa in their next game. As both, the teams gear up for the mega clash former Pakistan cricketer and commentator Bazid Khan has predicted four finalists for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. He backed Pakistan and India to reach the top four.
T20 World Cup: Former Pakistan legend picks Team India & Pakistan as favourites, Check who are two other semifinalists
Why Pakistan can reach the semifinals?
Pakistan Cricket team is ranked third in the ICC T20 rankings just below England and India. The ICC T20 World Cup 2021 is taking place in UAE and Oman. Pakistan plays most of their matches in the UAE where they play most of their matches. Pakistan are unbeaten in their last 10 matches in UAE. Which gives them an edge over other teams.
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“My reason [for selecting Pakistan as a semi-finalist] is because Pakistan plays excellent T20 cricket in the UAE. The [UAE] conditions suit them a lot. Here, don’t expect a 200 vs 200 game. Their bowlers also know how to bowl exceptionally well in the UAE by bowling cutters and the spinners know how to bowl stump-to-stump. They have perfected all of this,” Bazid Khan said in a video uploaded by the ICC on its official YouTube account.
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Khan also backed Pakistan to play their best game when the average score is around 160-170. Bazid also said that matches in the UAE are usually not high-scoring ones, hence the power-hitting factor will also be nullified.
T20 World Cup: Former Pakistan legend picks Team India & Pakistan as favourites, Check who are two other semifinalists
Why India will qualify for the semifinal?
Most of the Indian players are coming into the T20 WC after playing IPL 2021 in UAE which will help them a lot. Team India will also be an advantage as their players know the pitches in UAE better than other teams. As the pitches will be dry in UAE it will assist spinners and India have some top-notch T20 spinners in their ranks.
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Bazid Khan feels that India also will be an advantage as they rely on their spinners to take wickets. “India also has a bit of an issue when it comes to power hitting. They also rely on spinners and the pitches there will suit them [Indian spinners]. So the 160-170-run target will also suit them,” he added.
India has picked as many as four spinners in their squad in the name of Ravindra Jadeja, Rahul Chahar, Ravichandran Ashwin and Varun Chakravarthy. Playing for Kolkata Knight Riders Varun Chakravarthy has delivered exceptionally in IPL 2021.
Why England and West Indies can qualify for the semi-finals?
Former Pakistan cricketer picked England to be the third team to qualify for the semi-finals. He feels that England has depth in their squad. He also termed them as the perfect white-ball cricket team. Eoin Morgan will be high on confidence after reaching the final of IPL 2021 for KKR. However, he will be entering this tournament without their superstar Ben Stokes. England’s Liam Livingstone is also in top form with the bat.
“Conditions in the UAE will be a bit tough for them, but in my opinion, they will master them and definitely qualify for the semi-finals,” Bazid Khan added.
Bazid Khan also backed West Indies to qualify for the semifinal as their team is dynamic. He feels that West Indies have many destructive players in their team who can turn the game in one over.
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“You can never write them off. Knocking them out of the round stages will be next to impossible,” he said.
T20 World Cup: Former Pakistan legend picks Team India & Pakistan as favourites, Check who are two other semifinalists
Editors pick
