Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann has predicted that the present ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE will be "the downfall&nbsp;of the West Indies' T20 era," and has tipped either England or Pakistan to win the tournament.

West Indies are the defending champions, but despite having big hitters like Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard, they have struggled, with the Caribbean side putting in one of their worst T20 performances in recent history, getting bowled out&nbsp;for just 55 runs in their first T20 World Cup 'Super 12' game against England.

"I think it is the downfall of West Indies` T20 era. Age and experience are one thing but it can get highlighted if you are not winning. I'm not saying that this West Indies team is past it and they are like Pakistan, they could bounce back anytime," Swann told cricket.com on Friday.

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"But they have had two really, really weak performances (against England and South Africa). If you look at their team, the team is wriggled with top-class batsmen from the IPL but they are just not performing. Maybe it is the end of their era. Not sure if it is their T20 World Cup to be honest," he added.

The former England spinner, who has played 60 Tests and taken over 250 wickets in the longest format of the game, lauded Pakistan and England, calling them the favourites this year.

"England and Pakistan are favourites. That New Zealand game, I was more nervous about Pakistan because after that India victory, I thought we would see the old Pakistan, who would falter. I honestly thought that they wouldn't beat New Zealand but I was completely wrong. I think Matt Hayden (Matthew Hayden) has instilled hardness in this team," Swann said.

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Swann also believed that Afghanistan, with a slew of mystery&nbsp;spinners, may pull off a stunner or two in the competition. 
 
"Afghanistan`s win over Scotland was amazing. Scotland aren't quite England`s rivals even though they are closest, although they see England as their rivals. I think a lot of English fans will root for Scotland. It was a bit hard to see them getting destroyed against Afghanistan. It wasn`t their day whatsoever. You forget how strong Afghanistan are. They are more likely to upset teams these days than Bangladesh and Sri Lanka," added Swann.

Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann has predicted that the present ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE will be "the downfall of the West Indies' T20 era," and has tipped either England or Pakistan to win the tournament.

Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann has predicted that the present ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE will be "the downfall of the West Indies' T20 era," and has tipped either England or Pakistan to win the tournament. West Indies are the defending champions, but despite having big hitters like Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard, they have struggled, with the Caribbean side putting in one of their worst T20 performances in recent history, getting bowled out for just 55 runs in their first T20 World Cup 'Super 12' game against England. "I think it is the downfall of West Indies` T20 era. Age and experience are one thing but it can get highlighted if you are not winning. I'm not saying that this West Indies team is past it and they are like Pakistan, they could bounce back anytime," Swann told cricket.com on Friday. ALSO READ | Rashid Khan urges for peace, requests to avoid repeat of 2019 clashes as Afghanistan take on Pakistan "But they have had two really, really weak performances (against England and South Africa). If you look at their team, the team is wriggled with top-class batsmen from the IPL but they are just not performing. Maybe it is the end of their era. Not sure if it is their T20 World Cup to be honest," he added. The former England spinner, who has played 60 Tests and taken over 250 wickets in the longest format of the game, lauded Pakistan and England, calling them the favourites this year. "England and Pakistan are favourites. That New Zealand game, I was more nervous about Pakistan because after that India victory, I thought we would see the old Pakistan, who would falter. I honestly thought that they wouldn't beat New Zealand but I was completely wrong. I think Matt Hayden (Matthew Hayden) has instilled hardness in this team," Swann said. ALSO READ: Not Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna! Wrestling Federation wants Arjuna Award for Ravi Dahiya Swann also believed that Afghanistan, with a slew of mystery spinners, may pull off a stunner or two in the competition. "Afghanistan`s win over Scotland was amazing. Scotland aren't quite England`s rivals even though they are closest, although they see England as their rivals. I think a lot of English fans will root for Scotland. It was a bit hard to see them getting destroyed against Afghanistan. It wasn`t their day whatsoever. You forget how strong Afghanistan are. They are more likely to upset teams these days than Bangladesh and Sri Lanka," added Swann.

T20 World Cup: West Indies' T20 dominance is over; this is Pakistan and England's era, says Graeme Swann

England suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of India in the third Test on Thursday due to which several former English players have raised their questions over the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium.&nbsp;

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Root and Co. were bowled out for 112 and 81 during the third match and handed Team India their quickest win in Test cricket as they beat visitors by 10 wickets.&nbsp;

While some questioned the pitch during the match, England bowling legend Graeme Swann feels that Joe Root's side cannot hide behind accusations and instead should focus on working harder on their game against spin.

Swann, who was part of the team that won a series in India in 2012-13, said: "Well, I hope it's a very honest conversation (in the England dressing room after the loss) and what they have to get away from if they are, is to talk about the pitch. I know there is a lot of talk back in England, a lot of people saying 'oh the pitch this, the pitch that'. The pitch is the same for both teams.

"England played well for half of this game, with the ball, but India just bowled better in the second innings. They are going to get a very similar wicket to play on next week. There are no two ways about it, England have to be better. They cannot afford to make the same mistakes. They cannot afford to hide behind accusations that the pitch is turning too much. It's nonsense," Swann said in the post-match show Cricket Live on host broadcasters Star Sports.

In pics:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/team-india-beat-england-in-pink-ball-test-at-worlds-largest-cricket-stadium-366282">Team India beat England in pink ball Test at world's largest cricket stadium</a>

The spinner went on to talk about the time when India visits England and are made to play on green wickets (that is a pace-friendly pitch). He said that Indians don't complain about it.

"When India come to England, they play on green seaming decks and India don't complain about it, they try and improve. Virat Kohli worked his socks off to make sure his game could cope with Jimmy Anderson on a nibbling wicket. England will have to work their socks off to cope with Ashwin and more importantly Axar Patel," Swann said.

England suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of India in the third Test on Thursday due to which several former English players have raised their questions over the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

England suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of India in the third Test on Thursday due to which several former English players have raised their questions over the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium. ALSO READ: WATCH: Virat Kohli crashes in Axar Patel-Hardik Pandya interview Root and Co. were bowled out for 112 and 81 during the third match and handed Team India their quickest win in Test cricket as they beat visitors by 10 wickets. While some questioned the pitch during the match, England bowling legend Graeme Swann feels that Joe Root's side cannot hide behind accusations and instead should focus on working harder on their game against spin. Swann, who was part of the team that won a series in India in 2012-13, said: "Well, I hope it's a very honest conversation (in the England dressing room after the loss) and what they have to get away from if they are, is to talk about the pitch. I know there is a lot of talk back in England, a lot of people saying 'oh the pitch this, the pitch that'. The pitch is the same for both teams. "England played well for half of this game, with the ball, but India just bowled better in the second innings. They are going to get a very similar wicket to play on next week. There are no two ways about it, England have to be better. They cannot afford to make the same mistakes. They cannot afford to hide behind accusations that the pitch is turning too much. It's nonsense," Swann said in the post-match show Cricket Live on host broadcasters Star Sports. In pics: Team India beat England in pink ball Test at world's largest cricket stadium The spinner went on to talk about the time when India visits England and are made to play on green wickets (that is a pace-friendly pitch). He said that Indians don't complain about it. "When India come to England, they play on green seaming decks and India don't complain about it, they try and improve. Virat Kohli worked his socks off to make sure his game could cope with Jimmy Anderson on a nibbling wicket. England will have to work their socks off to cope with Ashwin and more importantly Axar Patel," Swann said.

'India don't complain about it': Graeme Swann on pitch criticism

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