ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Pakistan Are Favourites To Win, Says Shane Warne

Former Australian spin bowler Shane Warne termed Babar Azam-led Pakistan as the favourites to lift the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

On Sunday,  India lost to Pakistan by 10 wickets in their first match of the T20 World Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan bowlers led by Shaheen Afridi restricted India to a moderate score of 151/7 in the first innings.

Shaheen dismissed Indian openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma within a span of 10 balls and later in the game got the big wicket of Indian skipper Virat Kohli to finish his spell for 3/31.

Pakistan openers Mohammad Rizwan (79*) and skipper Babar Azam (68*) cruised Pakistan to an emphatic victory as they chased the target with 13 balls to spare.

This was the first time any team defeated India by 10 wickets in a T20 World Cup fixture.

Babar and Rizwan’s unbeaten 152-run stand was the second-highest partnership in T20 World Cup history after Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene’s 166 against West Indies in 2010.

What a statement Pakistan made in T20 World Cup: Shane Warne

Warne applauded Babar for his batting and said that Pakistan are the favourites to win the title after the big win against India.

“What a statement Pakistan just made in the #ICCT20WorldCup2021 Now favourites in my opinion after that emphatic win over India. Just a super all round & impressive performance. Babar Azam continues to enhance his reputation as one of the best batters in the world in all forms !!” Warne tweeted.

Do not get over-excited after beating India: Babar Azam

Babar has already told his teammates that they should not ne over-excited after the India win.

“Look guys, this win was not a result of any individual performance. We gave a complete team performance and we do not have to let go off this. This is just a start, enjoy it, but do not get over-excited after beating India,” Babar Azam said in a video posted by the official Twitter handle of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

“We need to look ahead and our focus is to win the T20 World Cup. We will never be relaxed, just look to give our 100 per cent. Do not get over-excited,” he further added.

Pakistan plays their next match against New Zealand on Tuesday (October 26) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Also Read: India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2021: Just Kept The History Out Of Our Mind, States Babar Azam After Emphatic Win Against India