No favourites in World T20 2016, says Pakistan coach Waqar Younis

Kolkata, March 15: Citing history, Pakistan coach Waqar Younis today (March 15) reasoned that no team can be labelled as favourites in the World Twenty20 due to the unpredictability attached with the format.

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"You play well in the three weeks and win the World Cup. I will not tag anyone as favourites. Anything is possible in these type of tournaments. If you see in the past WT20s, no favourites have won. Be it India in 2007 or Pakistan in 2009. Sri Lanka or West Indies. This version is like that," the 44-year-old said. (No controversy in Afridi's comment: Waqar)

Pakistan will open their campaign against Bangladesh, who had shocked them at the Asia Cup and coach admitted but they have to be cautious.

"Bangladesh are playing really good cricket. We have to be really watchful and come out really strong to beat them. Each team deserves to improve. It's good for the world cricket and of course for Bangladesh. They're playing really good cricket for last one-two years. We have seen that in the World Cup. They're doing well, we have got to respect that.

"We have plenty of respect for them but this is a big stage, different conditions. We are hopeful and positive to play really good cricket tomorrow."

Pakistan team has a devastating bowling line-up in Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Sami and the legendary former pacer said they are relying on them to get them desired results.

"Our strength is fast bowling. We will try to bring on three genuine pacers. Bowlers are smart these days. The quality bowlers still have place in T20Is.

"Pitches are flat here with big scores like 190-200 but they have become smarter. There will be innovation for sure. There will be lot slower ones, lot wide yorkers. People have worked on strengths and weaknesses of other teams. They will be all geared up."

Younis also hoped that batting friendly conditions in India will prove to be good for them.

"The conditions were different from Bangladesh. Here it's spinner friendly. But when you play good cricket conditions don't matter much. If you look at the Asia Cup, most batters struggled in first six overs. We couldn't really capitalise after losing three-four wickets. We could not really get up.

"Here different conditions. We hope our batters will give us enough runs. Our bowlers will make sure others don't make enough runs. We should make sure that they complement each other."

PTI