Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Farveez Maharoof has backed Australia to win the 2020 T20 World Cup in their own backyard. However, there is no certainty about the T20 World Cup taking place this year, due to the widespread novel coronavirus. In April, the global governing council had said that the marquee tournament will take place as per schedule despite the pandemic.
The 2020 T20 World Cup will be a 10-team tournament. Ten full-member teams have directly earned their place in the Super 12 stage of the tournament. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will play in the group stage of the tournament along with six teams — Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Ireland, Namibia, Scotland and Oman — and the top four team will progress to the Super 12 stage.
Farveez Maharoof: I will back Australia, specially they are at home
Australia at ICC events have been a powerhouse. They have the side to beat. With the 2020 T20 World Cup being held in Australia, it gives them an added advantage, reckons former Sri Lanka all-rounder Farveez Maharoof. He, however, said India are also a very powerful side and these two sides will be among the top two.
“I’ll back Australia, specially they are at home. India any format are very powerful, those two are my my favourites,” Farveez Maharoof told CricketAddictor in an exclusive interview.
Australia, however, are yet to win a T20 World Cup. Since its inception, defending champions West Indies have won the tournament twice, making them the most successful side in the competition while India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England have clinched it once each.
Maharoof retired with 135 ODI wickets, 25 in Tests and seven T20I wickets with experiences in country cricket and the IPL, besides representing his national team in marquee tournaments.