Du Plessis tips West Indies as favourites to win T20 World Cup

ISLAMABAD: Former South Africa cricket captain and now an important member of Quetta Gladiators, Faf du Plessis, rated West Indies as outright favourites to win the 2021 T20 World Cup, believing that the team has pulled its socks up in time to pose a big challenge to the opponents.

To a question by ‘The News’, Faf said the shorter the game, the more teams get a chance.

“I always consider a team the best one and the favourite which would be having experienced and required firepower. So it is the West Indies that comes at the top. It is the only team that has won the title twice and has all the credentials to become the champions for another time. Bravos, Russell and other quality hard-hitting players are there to make the difference for the defending champions. Moreover, if you count the T20 caps in this particular side, West Indies are a super experienced side. After West Indies, India come as the next favourites as they have very good spinners, fast bowlers and a quality batting lineup. England — a very good One-Day side — are also having the T20 firepower. The two best teams, however, are West Indies and India.”

The former captain was of the opinion that if the T20 World Cup was to be organised in the United Arab Emirates, teams having better pace bowling would be having an advantage.

“The conditions in the UAE would be favouring fast bowlers as compared to the conditions in India. South Africa would be better off, unlike India where teams having better spin options feel at ease.”

In response to another very important question, Faf admitted that T20 league cricket is a threat to international cricket.

“The power of the T20 leagues around the world is growing with each passing year. In the beginning, there were two leagues and now five to seven T20 leagues being played across the world. Leagues are getting stronger so I think it is important to continue living with the both. If in future it becomes a choice for the leading players, it can be a real threat to international cricket’s survival. Moving forward in ten-year time, cricket would be like soccer where club and league events become a priority. West Indies become the first team to have lost players to the league cricket. South Africa have started losing players to T20 leagues. There is a need to work with the both.”

Coming back to Quetta Gladiators’ chances in the PSL VI, Faf said he was not part of the team earlier.

“I just had one net practice after coming out of quarantine. I believe that what the team requires is an all-around performance not in bits and pieces. It had been a tough quarantine for me especially with two kids but I feel I am in the best physical condition and can contribute to the team cause in a much better way.”

Faf defended Azam Khan’s bulky stature, saying that everyone has the responsibility to improve and work on his fitness.

“It is the working on your fitness that matters. I would advise him to keep working each day on his fitness as well as running between the wickets. He should focus on his fielding too. Azam’s job is that of a power-hitter. It is not important that everyone should have six-packs to get successful. Each player has different skills and roles to play for his team and Azam is no exception.”

On Sarfaraz Ahmed’s captaincy, he said he looked a different captain from outside. “He is a Champions Trophy-winning team captain. He knows how to get the best out of the players. Every captain has his own style of leading the team and Sarfaraz did well.”

Faf wanted Quetta Gladiators to go all gun blazing in the remaining matches of the PSL.

“Quetta cannot afford to get off to a slow start in the remaining matches. We have everything to play for thus only an attacking option can bring us back here. Previously we either batted well or bowled well. Spinners were good in earlier matches and so was the firepower in the middle. But now we have to put an all-round show to get favourable results. Teams have changed a lot since the first part of the PSL VI because of Covid-19 so I feel things would be much better this time around for Quetta.”

Article source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/845709-du-plessis-tips-west-indies-as-favourites-to-win-t20-world-cup