T20 World Cup 2024: Nasser Hussain Backs This Team To Win Maiden ICC Title

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Former England captain Nasser Hussain expects one team to break their World Cup jinx and win their first-ever World title at the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in West Indies and the USA.

For the first time in T20 World Cup history, a total of 20 teams will battle for the coveted title. The tournament will see the 20 teams divided into into four groups of five.

The top two teams in each of the groups will move to a Super Eight phase, where the remaining teams will be split into two groups of four. The top two in each group will then make their way to the semi-finals, followed by the final.

Former champions India, Australia, England and West Indies will be among the favourites to land the title again, but Hussain has backed South Africa, who have failed in their previous attempts, to win their maiden ICC trophy later this year.

"I haven't thought too much about this actually... but I'm going to go with South Africa. England are (reigning) champions, but not playing particularly well at the moment. It's in the Caribbean and West Indies are going OK, then you have Pakistan, so can I choose all of these sides?" Hussain was quoted as saying by ICC.

South Africa put some record-breaking performances in the World Cup last year before they lost to eventual champions Australia in the semifinals. Hussain added that he follows fellow commentator Simon Doull, who backed the Proteas to win the ODI World Cup last year with his prediction for the T20 World Cup.

"I'm going to go for South Africa versus England in the final. I'm following (fellow commentator) Simon Doull a little bit here. Before the (50-over) World Cup, he tipped them to win it and it was a little bit left field," Hussain added.

"I mean, it's still South Africa, one of the great cricketing nations, sporting nations, but I thought that was a good shout from Doully. And they played some brilliant cricket in that World Cup."

Hussain feels Cricket South Africa's T20 league - the SA20, which was launched last year - has benefitted the national team in finding some talent.

"I think their (domestic) SA20 competition has really elevated some of their players and they have now got that depth and that class and that talent," Hussain added.

South Africa were without the injured pace duo of Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala at the ODI World Cup but the two are expected to be available for the T20 event. So, Hussain feels that will also be a boost for the Proteas.

"I don't know where he is with his injury at the moment, but someone like Anrich Nortje is what they were missing maybe in those vital games, towards the end of the World Cup.

"So I think, maybe, if Nortje can get fit for the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and with their dynamic batting line-up, I'm going to look for South Africa," Hussain said.

(With PTI inputs)