Michael Atherton throws weight behind Pakistan ahead of Australia clash

Former England captain and renowned commentator Michael Atherton has backed Pakistan to defeat Australia, today, in the second semi-final of the ongoing T20 World Cup.

While talking to Sky Sports, Atherton praised Pakistan’s dynamic bowling attack.

“I’m going with Pakistan, I think they have got the best and most varied attack in this competition,” said Atherton. “You think of that attack: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, the spinners, the combinations that they have so I reckon they got the best attack and I think they will win it.”

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The winner of Pakistan, Australia match will face New Zealand in the final, who Atherton believes are the strongest team across all formats.

“They are through to another World Cup final, they were a sliver away from winning the last World Cup in 2019, they are the World Test Championship winners,” he said.

“Across formats, you would have to say they are the strongest team at the moment so congratulations to them, a fantastic achievement with limited resources in terms of personnel and money and things that we’ve often talked about,” he concluded.

Daryl Mitchell's unbeaten 72 and Jimmy Neesham's blistering cameo in Abu Dhabi led New Zealand to a dramatic five-wicket win over England as they entered their first T20 World Cup final on Wednesday.

The Black Caps reached the final of the 50-overs World Cup in 2019 and beat India this year to win the inaugural World Test Championship title.