Experienced Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has thrown his support behind Pakistan’s Babar Azam-led team to reach the final of the ICC T20 World Cup. Lyon, known for his spin-bowling prowess, opted for Pakistan over Rohit Sharma‘s Indian team as his top pick for the summit clash of the forthcoming ICC event. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States and former champions West Indies, promises an exciting showdown between the world’s top cricketing nations.
Teams To Compete in T20 World Cup:
The upcoming T20 World Cup in the United States and the Caribbean will feature a historic gathering of 20 teams, breaking previous participation records. The tournament opener in Dallas will mark the debut of Canada and WC co-hosts United States, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event. This unprecedented expansion reflects the growing global interest and reach of cricket beyond traditional strongholds.
Uganda’s debut appearance adds to the excitement of the T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, Pakistan, the finalists of the previous edition, was disappointed in the recent ODI World Cup hosted by India, which saw India as the runners-up. This shift in performance dynamics sets the stage for an intriguing tournament, with teams eager to prove their mettle on the global stage.
Despite Pakistan’s absence from the latter stages, India’s dominant performance marked the 2023 World Cup, securing a flawless ten victories. Nevertheless, in the final showdown last November, Australia clinched the title by defeating India with a convincing six-wicket margin, capping off an enthralling tournament.
Nathan Lyon’s Prediction:
In his assessment, Nathan Lyon predicted Pakistan and Australia to emerge as the finalists in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Lyon’s selection of these two teams suggests a belief in their strong capabilities and potential to navigate through the tournament’s challenges to reach the ultimate stage.
Lyon said, “For the T20 finals team, Australia obviously because I’m quite biased towards them. I think it will be I’m going to go with Pakistan. In those conditions, quality spin bowlers, but also electric batters like Babar Azam. I think early on in the tournament, we may see the highest score in T20. I’m going to go with Mitchell Marsh, I think the power that he has with the bat but also the skill he has with the ball in hand as well. So, go well, Mitch.”
Babar Azam to Lead Pakistan Once Again:
Ahead of the T20 World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board reinstated star batsman Babar as the captain of the national team. Babar had stepped down from the captaincy following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the 2023 World Cup. His reappointment indicates a renewed sense of confidence in his leadership abilities and a strategic move to bolster Pakistan’s chances in the upcoming tournament.
Shaheen Shah Afridi assumed the T20I captaincy after Babar Azam’s departure. Later, Shan Masood was appointed as the Test captain in November last year. However, Pakistan faced a setback, suffering a 4-1 defeat in New Zealand in January. These changes reflect Pakistan’s efforts to find stability and success across different formats.
Ahead of the T20 World Cup, Pakistan announced their 15-member squad, including newcomers Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Saim Ayub, and Usman Khan. The team is warming up with T20Is against England. Placed in Group A alongside India, Babar Azam’s side will kick off their campaign against the US on June 6.
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