T20 World Cup 2022: Farokh Engineer names his top four of the tournament

Legendary India wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer has predicted his semi-finalists of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. While team India, England and the reigning champions Australia were his natural picks, the veteran cricketer has made it clear that even South Africa are a dangerous side.

Meanwhile, Engineer also added that he would not be surprised if the Proteas even succeed in making it to the finals. Apart from South Africa, he also said that even Pakistan have a strong chance of making it to the final four and heaped special praise on their batting megastars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

South Africa are a very dangerous side: Farokh Engineer

"South Africa are a 'Chupe Rustam' (dark horses) according to me. They are a very dangerous side. They are easily capable of beating the best. I won't be surprised if South Africa even come in the finals", said Engineer while speaking on 'BatBricks7 presents Run Ki Runneeti show on CricTracker'.

"My four- Australia, England, India and either South Africa or Pakistan because Babar Azam or (Mohammad) Rizwan, a lot will depend upon their opening stand. If they get Pakistan off to a good start, they also have very good bowlers and (Shaheen) Afridi. I think he is a terrific bowler especially in cloudy conditions. He is a very good swing bowler, very effective. You don't know which Pakistan team will turn up on the day, that's the only problem", he added.

"Their (Pakistan's) fielding was very atrocious in one of the games that I saw. They were missing straightforward easy catches. The club cricketers would take those catches and the fielding might have let Pakistan down. Babar Azam is one of the finest batters in the whole tournament. He and Rizwan have been consistently getting runs and if they give Pakistan a good start, they will be a formidable side", Farokh Engineer further added.

"So my four would be Australia, England, India, and South Africa or Pakistan. I would not like to pick one between the two, but this is my combination", he concluded. 

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan begin their T20 World Cup campaign at the MCG on Sunday, October 23.