T20 World Cup 2022: Wasim Akram backs Australia, India, Pakistan to play semi-finals of ICC tournament

Former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram believes India, Pakistan, and Australia are three of the four teams who will qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup. The eighth edition of the T20 World Cup is set to commence from October 16 as teams will battle it out to lift the coveted title.

Hosts and defending champions Australia are the hot favourites to retain the title. However, the Aussies will face stiff competition from other sides such as team India, Pakistan, New Zealand, England, and South Africa. Pakistan legend has touted the two Asian cricketing nations- India and Pakistan to play the knockout phase along with Australia as the other favourites.

Wasim Akram makes an interesting call for the semi-finals

While the tournament is close to commence in less than a week, fans and pundits have begun analysing the best placed sides for the top four in the elimination rounds. Akram too expressed his opinion over the marquee tournament set to be played in Australia and the teams that can make it to the semi-finals.

"For the semifinals, what I would like to see is Australia, India and Pakistan. But South Africa could be a dark horse," Akram told to the media in Dubai.

While it seems obvious to pick the defending champions to go further on in the knockout rounds along with Pakistan and Rohit Sharma-led India, picking South Africa seemed like an interesting choice. Currently, South Africa are in the midst of a turmoil as they recently lost the three-match T20I series 1-2 to India away from home. Skipper Temba Bavuma will be under a lot of pressure considering his string of dismal performances and will be under scrutiny in the forthcoming tournament in Australia.

Pakistan in recent years have performed exceedingly well and have the potential to give other teams a run for their money. Whereas team India do not go in any tournament without being called one of the favourites and hence, it will be interesting to see if Akram’s statements on the semi-finals does get true.