No favourite team ever wins a big tournament, Pakistan have chance to grab the T20 World Cup 2021: Iqbal Imam

Former Pakistan cricketer Iqbal Imam believes that Pakistan are not the favourites to lift the T20 World Cup trophy this year, and it’s exactly that factor that makes the surprise element of the tournament this year, which gets underway in the United Arab Emirates and Oman from October 17.

Pakistan, who are in group B, begin their campaign against arch-rivals India on October 24 before playing New Zealand and Afghanistan on October 26 and 29. Their remaining group stage fixtures will be against qualifiers on November 2 and 7.

Imam stated that it is crucial for Pakistan’s hard-hitters to contribute to the team in the multi-team event, as the team would be largely reliant on their exploits to succeed. “Pakistan squad has new and young players. If they play to their potential we have a chance of winning the T20 World Cup. The hard-hitters will have to come to the party. We will be relying on them to make Pakistan’s batting stronger,” said Imam.

“In bowling we have Shaheen, and we have Husnain. They are bowling well in the National T20 Cup. There are other bowlers too who can make a difference,” he said.

No favourite team ever wins a big tournament: Iqbal Imam 

Speaking about Pakistan’s bowling potential, Imam backed young pacers Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Hasnain, who are currently playing the National T20 Cup. He further stated that spinners will have an even bigger role to play given the tournament has been shifted from India, owing to the Covid-19 situation, to the UAE.

“As far as spinners are concerned, they will play an important role in the UAE conditions, but our fast-bowlers are also capable of bowling match-winning overs.”

“No favourite team ever wins a big tournament. So, it will be an open tournament and Pakistan have a chance to grab the title,” he added.

Imam further termed Ramiz Raja’s appointment as a “very good sign” for Pakistan cricket. Notably, Raja was recently elected unopposed as the PCB chairman after Ehsan Mani’s three-year term concluded in August this year.

“It is a very good sign. He is a former cricketer, has played and seen cricket all over the world. I have high hopes from him,” Imam said.