T20 World Cup 2021: Wasim Akram picks top four contenders for the title

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has already started the discussion around the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup to be held in India in the month of October. It will see the return of the showpiece event after five years when it was last hosted last by India in 2016.  Speculations are going around that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) might shift the T20 World Cup out of India due to the COVID-19 situation.

Already the 14^th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) came to a grinding halt due to the rise in cases in the bio-bubble and the BCCI officials are not ready to take further risks by putting the players and teams in trouble. The UAE in all likelihood set to host the remainder of IPL and T20 World Cup.

Naturally, with the showpiece event coming up top teams like India, West Indies, England and Australia will battle it out to win the title. In the same sequence, Akram was asked to pick his favorite.

Wasim Akram backs four teams to come good in the T20 World Cup

“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.

When quizzed on the same interview of Pakistan’s chances, the former World Cup player stated that Pakistan have a few areas to work on before they can challenge the rest of the top teams. The Men in Green have won the 2009 T20 World Cup beating Sri Lanka in the final by eight wickets.

“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 pointed out.

After successfully beating South Africa and Zimbabwe, Pakistan are set to travel to West Indies to play five T20Is in the month of July.