Former South Africa captain and all-rounder Shaun Pollock believes that it will be a fairytale ride if New Zealand win the ICC T20 World Cup final against Australia here on Sunday.
At the same time, he feels that Australia will be the favourites going into the summit clash. Both Australia and New Zealand will be vying for their first T20 World Cup trophy in what will be a re-match of the 2015 Cricket World Cup final.
"As far as the final goes, it's a tough one. I think it's going to be a great contest. I think after the two semifinals, it will really be a nice spectacle to watch. I think if I had to say who I would like to win, I think New Zealand have tried so hard and have been in so many finals and semifinals. I think it would probably be a fairytale for them to win. But it's going to be a big ask. Australia have really started to find the formula and got time to gel together as a combination. I would think they will go in as favourites.
I think if I had to say who I would like to win, I think New Zealand have tried so hard and have been in so many finals and semifinals. I think it would probably be a fairytale for them to win. But it's going to be a big ask. Australia have really started to find the formula and got time to gel together as a combination. I would think they will go in as favourites.”
-Shaun Pollock, Former South Africa skipper
"But personally, I would be hoping, because of New Zealanders and the way they have gone about their things, they would end on top," said Pollock.
Speaking about what makes New Zealand the most preferred second favourite team of every cricket fan, Pollock put it down to them being a nice bunch of people focusing on bringing the maximum out of their abilities and resources.
"In the past, people used to consider South Africa as their second favourites. You get the feeling around world cricket at the moment that it's the same for New Zealand as well. Everyone wants them to win. It is just the way they go about their business. They are a nice bunch of guys who are really trying to maximize their ability and performance. I think that's why they have won over the cricketing world in terms of their mannerisms and how they go about their business. Winning the WTC final gives them more self-belief to go on a big occasion and try to produce the goods. At this stage, they have got a really good balance of experience and have got the belief to do well in the finals."
Read: Allan Donald pens a letter to ICC Hall of Fame inductee Shaun Pollock
Pollock, along with Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene and England's Janette Brittin, were announced as the newest inductees of the Hall of Fame on Saturday.
They will be formally inducted by former West Indies captain Sir Clive Lloyd before the start of the final in Dubai. Pollock, the first player to achieve the double of 3,000 runs and 300 wicket in Tests and ODIs, felt honoured on joining an illustrious club.
