T20 World Cup: Saba Karim picks World Cup favourite: Former India wicketkeeper and ex-selector Saba Karim believes Australia are favourites to win the T20 World Cup. The ICC event is scheduled to start next month in Australia. And it is the knowledge of the home conditions and their team combination, which has promoted Karim to put his money on Aaron Finch and his men. Follow T20 World Cup live updates with InsideSport.IN
To be fair, Australia are always a quality side irrespective of the country they are travelling. And when they play in their own backyard, they are an even more dangerous unit.
Karim has applauded the team management for the kind of players they have picked for the World Cup. The inclusion of Tim David could be their trump card. The right-hander has the ability to score quick runs, and can punish both the spinners and the pacers. Add the likes of Glenn Maxwell in their ranks, Australia look a solid team, capable of beating any team in the competition.
T20 World Cup: Ex-selector Saba Karim picks his favourite for WC title, says ‘Australia with their strong combination at home are favourites’
“I think they remain a formidable side and are the favourites. More so because they are playing on Australian soil and the kind of changes, they have brought into the team, reflects that they are in sync with what is required to win such tournaments in Australia. Big ground, so you need some more power hitters, so they bulk up that kind of portion in the side. So, they have Tim David and Glen Maxwell,” Karim told Sports 18’s ‘Sports Over the Top’ show.
🔊 SOUND ON 🔊
Tim David whacking balls in Australian kit 🔥 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/q0n0C7OnpN
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 18, 2022
“For instance, in this team, you don’t have Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis, both of them very high in terms of power hitting. So, this kind of combination makes them a very strong side to retain the T20 World Cup again.”
However, it is not going to be easy. All the teams have it in them to topple over Australia. In the group stages of the World Cup, they will first of all face stiff competition from England and New Zealand. They have to do well in the group stage and qualify for the knockout stage of the ICC event.
As of now, the Australian team is in India for a three-match T20 series. They won the first game of the series in style, chasing 200 plus runs.
T20 World Cup: Ex-selector Saba Karim picks his favourite for WC title, says ‘Australia with their strong combination at home are favourites’
In fact, many of the top players, including David Warner, Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc, have not even travelled with the team. Despite that, they managed to win the match. It just goes to show the quality in their squad and the bench strength. No wonder, Karim has picked Australia to be the favourite for the T20 World Cup in their own backyard.
