All-round India favourites to win T20 World Cup: Asif Iqbal

Indian cricket team. Pic/AFP

Former Pakistan captain Asif Iqbal has no hesitation in terming Team India favourites to lift the T20 World Cup. India will play their opening encounter against Pakistan on Sunday in a high-voltage clash at the Dubai International Stadium.

Speaking to mid-day from his Kent home in the UK, Asif is confident of a strong Indian performance and reminded Pakistan that they should make the most of their "second home" with the tournament being played in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Asif Iqbal

"India are favourites these days in every tournament because of their all-round abilities. Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah will be the players to watch out for in the Indian team. I would also like to add Ravichandran Ashwin to that list," Asif said on Friday.

Asif, 78, who learnt his cricket in Hyderabad, is hopeful of South Africa making the cut in the Top Four. "I have high hopes for South Africa. They should not be ignored. New Zealand and Pakistan will be the other two teams to make it to the semi-finals," said Asif, who captained Pakistan on their 1979-80 tour of India.

"Pakistan should remember that they are playing at their second home. They are familiar with the conditions than any other team. Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi and Imad Wasim are capable to pull off some incredible wins for Pakistan," added Asif, who played 58 Tests and 10 ODIs.

He is also eager to watch Afghanistan. "They are the team to watch out. They may not win [the tournament], but they can create an upset against some of the big sides," he said.

Asif, who was director of cricket at Sharjah, felt a team's form on the given day matters the most. "It is difficult to predict in the T20 format. So, it is important to see how the team is doing on that particular day.

"I don't think we will see big scores in the tournament even though the ICC is trying its best to prepare good batting surfaces," he said.

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