Former England cricket captain and commentator Kevin Pietersen has revealed his top four teams for the upcoming Champions Trophy. In a recent interview, Pietersen stated that Pakistan and their arch-rivals India are the favorites to secure a place in the tournament’s semi-finals.
England and Australia Left Out of the Top 4
In a surprising move, Pietersen excluded two powerhouse teams—England and Australia—from his top four predictions. Explaining his reasoning, he pointed out that Australia would suffer from the absence of key players like Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Marsh, and captain Pat Cummins. Meanwhile, England’s recent defeats could prove to be a major setback for their campaign.
South Africa and New Zealand Earn Pietersen’s Backing
Alongside Pakistan and India, Pietersen backed South Africa and New Zealand to make it to the semi-finals. According to him, these teams have what it takes to go deep into the tournament.
Champions Trophy Kicks Off February 19
The highly anticipated Champions Trophy will commence on February 19 with a match between Pakistan and New Zealand. The final is scheduled for March 9. However, all eyes will be on the high-voltage clash between Pakistan and India, set to take place on February 23 in Dubai.
