Former fast-bowler Zaheer Khan is confident that hosts India will use the sub-continental conditions to good effect and emerge victorious in the upcoming World Twenty20. The tournament will be played across eight venues in India from March 8 to April 3.The final will be played at the Eden Gardens ground in Kolkata on April 3. The women’s semi-finals and final will be followed by the men’s knock-out matches.
India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Australia are clubbed in Group 2. South Africa, England, West Indies and the defending champions Sri Lanka are clubbed in Group 1.
India will start their campaign on March 15 in Nagpur in the opening match of the Super 10s stage. They will then face arch-rivals Pakistan on March 19, the qualifying team in the group on March 23 in Bengaluru and Australia in Mohali on March 27.
The Mumbai pacer was present at a press conference where the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced an eight-year sponsorship (2016-2023) deal with money transfer services MoneyGram on January 11.
India will win ICC World T20 2016 : Zaheer
Zaheer said the shortest format of the game has brought changes in the style of playing. One-Day Internationals (ODI) and Tests cricket have undergone several transitions after the shortest format was introduced by ICC. The 37-year old said, “In World T20, subcontinent conditions spin will play a big factor. Both it will be an advantage and a challenge for the teams. I am sure India will come out with flying colours to win the World T20 here.”
The left-arm pacer added “T20 cricket is amazing. It brings added excitement and enjoyment in the game. We see a lot of innovation in the game after coming of T20. Batsmen are trying different strokes and bowlers are trying to stay in the moving game. This format has brought changes even in ODIs and Tests. It has also brought a different approach to the game overall.”
The Maharashtra born cricketer also went down memory lane to speak about his instrumental contribution in the 2011 World Cup which India won at home. The pacer claimed 21 victims to be the highest wicket taker of the tournament.
Zaheer concluded, “World Cup is a special tournament. You have to always enjoy playing the moment because you never know if you are going to play in the next World Cup. It was a special feeling to win the Cup in front of the home crowd.”
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