Ricky Ponting predicts surprise player for Pakistan in T20 World Cup

ISLAMABAD: Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has made a bold prediction about a surprise player for Pakistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

Ponting, a two-time World Cup-winning captain, praised Babar Azam’s Pakistan team in the ICC Review, calling it a strong contender in the T20 World Cup in America and the West Indies.

“Pakistan’s inexperienced team under Babar Azam’s leadership looks very balanced,” Ponting said. “There’s a young batsman in the top order ready to showcase his magic in the tournament.”

Ponting believes that Pakistan, which reached the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022, has a strong chance of winning the title this year, similar to their 2009 victory.

“Captaincy suits some people and not others,” Ponting observed. “As captain, you have to watch the game and your players, and some handle those responsibilities better than others.”

Ponting noted that while Babar Azam’s performance as a captain has seen some decline, he has learned a lot from his experiences. He also mentioned Shaheen Shah Afridi’s challenges as a leader, suggesting that a set team under Babar Azam would be more effective for the World Cup.

Also read: Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign: a comprehensive analysis

Pakistan’s batting heavily relies on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, however, Ponting highlighted opening batsman Saim Ayub as a player who could surprise everyone in the tournament.

“Saim Ayub opened the innings alongside Mohammad Rizwan in the pre-T20 World Cup series against Ireland,” Ponting said. “I believe this dangerous left-handed batsman will be a focal point during the ICC event.”

“I first noticed Saim Ayub in Australia,” Ponting added. “I didn’t know much about him at the time, but when I reviewed his PSL record during commentary for the Sydney Test, I was very impressed. Saim Ayub is a complete opener, and I think he is going to be a star in the future.”