T20 WC: Bowling legend Muralitharan says ‘spinners’ would decide winner

London: Former Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has said that spinners will decide which teams will eventually come through the Super Eight stage of the Twenty20 World Cup.

“If this World Twenty20 tournament was difficult to call beforehand, it does not look much easier now, with any one of half a dozen teams believing they can still win it,” Muralitharan wrote in his column for a daily. “But the Super Eights stages show which teams really have the skills needed, and spin will win it for me,” he added. He backed Pakistan, as it had the best slow bowlers. He also warned the strong Indian team to be careful following its nine-wicket defeat to Australia. “Pakistan look to have the best slow bowlers, and they can go all the way. India had looked the strongest side, but will have been badly shaken by their nine-wicket defeat against Australia,” he wrote. “The Indians are a dangerous side to write off, but their spinners look a bit in and out to me. England has been exposed against spin, which shows a weakness in their side,” he added. He also said backed his own Sri Lankan team and said they would be a dangerous side to play against. “My Sri Lanka are dangerous, England will find that out tomorrow, but nobody will want to play Pakistan,” he added. ANI