Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has lavished praise on South African talisman batter Dewald Brevis ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. Brevis has impressed in his young career, and he can take on the opposition bowlers in the middle overs.
The right-hander had done a good job while playing for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025. The youngster scored 225 runs in six matches of the tournament at an average of 37.50 and a blistering strike rate of 180. Brevis was then retained ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
Meanwhile, Brevis recently scored 370 runs in 12 matches of SA20 at an average of 41.10 while playing for Pretoria Capitals.
“South Africa has nine players from the previous World Cup, and that is a huge positive for any team. Even the additions to this squad are quality players. One such addition is Dewald Brevis. In the IPL, whether it be Siraj, Prasidh, Narine, or Rashid, he was taking them on and not hesitating. We talk about Abhishek Sharma batting at a strike rate of 200, even he plays at a strike rate of 170-180. So, he is a solid player,” Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
Pathan also named South Africa’s playing XI for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
“Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Lungi Ngidi,” he suggested.
On the other hand, Pathan reckons Australia will enter the World Cup with vengeance and their biggest strength is the number of all-rounders in the team.
“Australia comes into the World Cup with vengeance. Just like India, their biggest strength is their all-rounders. They have Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, and Cooper Connolly. Connolly impressed me a lot when India toured Australia, and he is a quality all-rounder, and he can make an impact,” Irfan Pathan opined.
Pathan also picked Australia’s playing XI for the forthcoming T20I showpiece.
“Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Tim David, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, and Josh Hazlewood,” he concluded.
Australia would begin its T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on 11th February.
