Abu Dhabi: New Zealand and Australia are all set to add a new chapter to their trans-Tasman rivalry when the two teams meet in the ICC T20 World Cup Final in Dubai on Sunday. Neither team has won the men’s T20 World Cup so far Australia came closest in 2010, finishing runners-up so the tournament will have a first-time champion on November 14.
Momentum is with the Aussies being the most-recent winners of a thrilling clash against Pakistan in the semi-finals but that won’t worry the Blackcaps, who also had to overcome a stiff challenge from 50-over world champions England in the last-four just a day earlier.
The summit clash will be New Zealand’s third-successive World Cup final after 2015 and 2019, both of which they lost after coming up short against Australia and England respectively. That is one record which Kane Williamson’s team will look to change come Sunday.
The last time these two teams met at a World Cup final was in 2015 when the trans-Tasman neighbours co-hosted the 50-over World Cup. Although Brendon McCullum’s men had edged Michael Clarke’s side in the group stage, the final at the MCG went comprehensively Australia’s way. But repeating history won’t be easy for Australia against a New Zealand side recognised as the one of best teams across formats in international cricket.
