Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has named his favourites for the upcoming T20 World Cup this year. The mega event is scheduled to take place in India later this year but a final call on the venue is expected to be taken by the BCCI in the special general meeting on May 29. With the countdown for T20 World Cup 2021 already underway, Akram has joined the bandwagon and revealed who he is backing for glory this year.
T20 World Cup was originally scheduled to be hosted by Australia last year but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Australia will be hosting the showpiece event next year with India set to stage the World Cup this year. When asked to name his favourites, Akram picked Pakistan arch-rivals Team India as the strongest contender for the title. He also named three others sides who can lift the trophy this year.
“I suppose, between the main teams, India appear favourites. They play fearless brand of T20 cricket. England is also at the top of the ladder. I think New Zealand too. And you never know about the West Indies. If their main players are in, they have a tendency to scare,” Akram said on ARY news.
World champions England along with India would certainly head into the tournament as favourites. While England are currently the number one ranked T20I side in the world, India are placed second. Akram explained why he didn’t pick Pakistan as one of the favourites to win the title this year.
Akram said Babar Aazam & Co. need to work on their team combination and nail their best possible XI ahead of the mega event to ensure they can produce their best cricket.
“Pakistan need to work on their team combination. Obviously, being a Pakistani, I would want Pakistan to win the World Cup. That will be a dream come true for all of us, especially the young captain, and if they need to improve their combination, find the best XI, they can fight. The problem of No. 5 and No. 6 needs to be solved,” Akram explained.
The T20 World Cup is slated to get underway in October this year. However, the final venue for the tournament has not been finalised yet as BCCI has kept UAE as a backup option in case the COVID-19 situation in India is not under control
