The stage is set for the crunch T20 World Cup final at Dubai International Cricket Stadium as Trans-Tasman rivals Australia and New Zealand will battle for glory in the night game. Here are a few talking points and key battles in the much anticipated final of the T20 World Cup:
Third time lucky for the Kiwis?
New Zealand have been one of the consistent cricket teams in recent years as they have reached an ICC final in the shorter formats for the third consecutive time. They were the finalists of the 2015 World Cup, 2019 World Cup and now the 2021 T20 World Cup. In 2015 they were beaten by Australia convincingly. In 2019, it was another heartbreak for the Kiwis as they were beaten by England by the slightest margin possible - on boundary count. Can they change their fortunes this time?
Is Australia’s wait for the T20I crown about to end?
Australia have dominated the 50-over format since the late 1990s as they won three consecutive World Cups in 1999, 2003 and 2007. India ended their dominance in 2011. Later the Aussies again won the World Cup in 2015 on their home soil. England emerged as the new powerhouse and won the Cup in 2019. So the Aussies have won four out of the last six World Cup editions. But surprisingly they have not won any T20 World Cup yet. This is the seventh T20 World Cup since the inaugural edition in 2007 but Australia have never won any, despite being so successful in 50-over format. They reached the final once but were beaten by England in 2010. Can Australia change their fortunes in T20Is this time?
David Warner or Martin Guptill?
Warner was out of form before the T20 World Cup as he had a torrid time for his IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, and even got dropped from the playing XI. But Warner has returned to form (236 runs in six innings) in the most crucial time for the Aussies as he has become a vital part behind the title charge. Warner’s important knock against Pakistan after the dismissal of captain Aaron Finch in the first over kept Australia on track in pursuit of a challenging total. While for New Zealand, opener Guptill is a big match player who could make a difference and make a significant impact at the top-order. Guptill is vastly experienced, having been playing for the Kiwis since 2009, and scored 3,119 T20I runs. He is among the top T20I run scorers in the world. Warner and Guptill will have key roles in Sunday's blockbuster final.
Ish Sodhi or Adam Zampa?
New Zealand leg-spinner Sodhi and Australian leggie Zampa will play huge roles in the middle part of the game as these two wrist spinners can be the key bowlers for their side. Zampa has taken 12 wickets from six innings while Sodhi bagged nine wickets from six innings. Leg-spinners have played a crucial role for almost every team in this tournament and slow bowlers often change the course of the game. Top three wicket-takers in this T20 World Cup - Wanindu Hasaranga (16 wickets), Zampa (12 wickets) and Shakib al Hasan (11) - are all spinners so Sodhi and Zampa will be key weapons for Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson and Aussie captain Aaron Finch respectively.
Starc-Cummins or Southee-Boult?
Australia and New Zealand have two of the best and lethal fast bowling pairs in the world in the form of Mitchell Starc-Pat Cummins and Tim Southee-Trent Boult. These four pacers have been in the leading chart of the ICC rankings in all formats in the last decade. It will be a mouthwatering clash between these four pacemen as they hunt for glory of the world title. In the 2015 World Cup final, Starc set the course of the match early by cleaning up Brendon McCullum. It will be interesting to see if Starc can have a similar impact by removing Guptill or Williamson early. Or will Boult-Southee remove Warner-Finch early and put pressure on the Aussie batting line-up? Whatever happens, these battles will be a treat to watch for cricket fans.