The stage is set for the final of the ICC men’s T20 World Cup between Australia and New Zealand. The match will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai. Ahead of the clash of the titans, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen in a post predicted the winner of the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Whatever be the outcome, a trans-Tasman shift of power is imminent, with both nations aiming to lift the elusive title for the first time. While New Zealand beat England to enter the final, Australia defeated Pakistan in a thriller encounter.

In a blog for Betway, former England batter cited history to make his prediction. He said that although New Zealand are a well-drilled unit, it will not be surprising if Aaron Finch-led team wins the encounter.

“New Zealand seem to have all bases covered, but I fancy Australia,” he wrote.

“History suggests that when you get these two together in a major final, the Aussies blow the Kiwis away. It’s what happened in the 2015 50-over final in Melbourne. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Australia lift the trophy on Sunday,” he added.

In the group stages, both teams finished second. En route to the final, both Australia and New Zealand beat tournament favourites to make a case for themselves.

The former right-handed batter also said that when Australia have always come out on top whenever situations are dire. He cited David Warner‘s innings against Pakistan as an example.

“It’s the Australian way that when it’s a do or die, they do. They’ll just get the job done. That’s why they’ve been a formidable opponent for such a long time. If they get themselves into a semi-final of a major tournament, they’ll find something extra,” he wrote.

“David Warner is a great example of that. People like to cut sportspeople down very quickly after a bad run – and make no mistake, Warner was struggling with Sunrisers Hyderabad during the IPL – but he hasn’t had the success he’s had because he’s a rubbish player. He’s shown his class in this competition when his team needed him most. It’s not a coincidence,” he added.

In terms of all-time T20I head-to-head stats, Australia have come out on top on nine occasions in the 13 games that they have played. New Zealand, on the other hand, have won the only game that was played between these two sides, dating back to the 2016 T20 World Cup.