T20 WC 2022 | Ricky Ponting picks Australia and India as firm favourites to play final

The ICC T20 World Cup 2022 is just around the corner and will take place in Australia in October.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has picked his two favourite teams, who will clash in the final on November 13 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Speaking on ICC's web show, Ponting said defending champions Australia and one-time title winner India are likely contenders, where the former will come on top.

"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,"

"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 claimed.

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Who apart from Australia and India?

Ponting added that England could give India and Australia a tough fight, given their recent history in white-ball cricket.

"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," the former two-time World Cup winning captain added. 

Babar Azam crucial for Pakistan's success

Ponting, who coaches the Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise in the IPL, pinned Pakistan's success on Babar Azam.

"If Babar doesn’t have a great tournament, I don’t think they can win. I saw him up close and personal a couple of years ago out here in a Test series against Australia and I said it then, I thought the sky was the limit for this guy as far as Test match batting (was concerned) and, if anything, he’s probably got better and better in the last couple of years," 

"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," he explained.

New Zealand and West Indies are well suited to T20Is

He also spoke about potential dark horses in the tournament, who on any given day upset top sides.

"I know the game too well and any of New Zealand, Pakistan or West Indies even – we know how they tend to love playing this game and they’re probably most suited to the T20 format. 

"It wouldn’t surprise me if any of those sides find their way through to the final," Ponting concluded.

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