Australia, New Zealand eye maiden title

It may take some time to digest the fact that neither Australia nor New Zealand have ever lifted the ICC T20 World Cup trophy, but the world will witness either Kane Williamson or Aaron Finch walk onto the podium as a winning captain after the final in Dubai today.

The final is scheduled to begin at 8:00pm Bangladesh standard time.

While the Aussies are known for their ruthless approach, especially in finals of global events, it is expected to be a stern test for Finch and Co against a New Zealand side that have played some brilliant cricket throughout the tournament.

Although it will be the first time New Zealand will be competing for the title in the shortest format, the Kiwis have made it a habit of reaching finals in ICC events in other formats in recent times.

From the horror of the 2019 World Cup final defeat to England to winning the ICC Test Championship against India, New Zealand have seen it all and will feel it is the best time to hurdle the barrier and lift the World Cup trophy.

On the other hand, Australia have won the 50-over World Cup five times, more than any other team, and know how to win matches on the biggest stage. Very few imagined at the start of the tournament that Finch and his side would have even made it to the final, but they did.

Both teams finished second in their respective Super 12 groups while playing exceptional cricket. Interestingly, they both came into the World Cup on the back of series defeats against Bangladesh.

New Zealand won their semifinal against England by chasing down the 167-run target with five wickets and an over to spare, getting the 57 runs required from the final four overs courtesy of Daryl Mitchell's unbeaten, match-winning 72.

The likes of Jimmy Neesham and Mitchell ensured the Kiwis exacted vengeance for the famous 2019 World Cup final defeat at Lord's and although the nail-biting finish saw them re-live those memories, it was New Zealand who had the last laugh this time around.

Australia also had the fair share of tough battles, especially when they soared to a stunning five-wicket win over high-flying Pakistan in their semifinal.

Chasing 177, Australia were reduced to 96 for five before Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade's match-winning, unbeaten 91-run seventh-wicket stand fashioned a memorable victory, which was highlighted by Wade smiting three consecutive sixes to Shaeen Afridi in the 19th over to get home with an over to spare.

Although there is no reason for Australia to tinker with a winning combination, New Zealand will miss Devon Conway after the wicketkeeper-batsman broke the fifth metacarpal on his right hand when he punched a bat out of frustration following his dismissal in the semifinal.

Head-to-head equations may not count for much in finals, but an Aussie fan might be happy to know that Australia have won nine of 14 encounters against New Zealand in T20Is.

The toss is expected to be crucial as teams that win the toss go on to win matches on two out of three occasions and 160 runs on the board is considered a good total to defend.