Ponting picks his T20 WC finalists

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting, in an interview with the International Cricket Council, revealed the four teams he thought would reach the final of the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.

Ponting said that Australia would come out on top once again after their triumph in 2021, while India would be the other team playing the final.

“I think India and Australia will be the two playing in the final, and I will just have to say that Australia will beat them in the final,” he said.

The two-times One-Day World Cup-winning skipper also explained his reasons.

“The reigning champions have got home conditions, and that was one thing that made Australia’s win in the last World Cup, not remarkable, but that little bit sweeter for them,” Ponting said.

The former Australia skipper said that England would be the biggest threat to Australia and India.

“I actually think England are an outstanding white-ball team, and they have an outstanding white-ball setup. I just think the three teams on paper that look to have the most class and the most match-winners are India, Australia and England,” he said.

Ponting also believed it would be difficult for Pakistan to win unless their captain and star player Babar Azam did not hit top form.

“If Babar doesn’t have a great tournament, I don’t think they can win. Their openers are very important, and their new-ball bowlers are very important, but that role of the spin bowler in Australia might be a little bit more difficult with wickets that probably won’t give them assistance,” explained the former Aussie skipper.