2021 ICC T20 World Cup [Preview]

After a lot of drama and delay, the T20 World cup is all set to play in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, shifting from its original destination, India. Well, due to coronavirus, the officials were forced to change the T20-host country.

Before talking about Super 12, let’s talk about the Round one teams.

Round 1

Group A: Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands, and Namibia

Sri Lanka

Team Sri Lanka will have to finish in the top 2 in round one to make it into the super 12. Out of the cut-off score rankings, Sri Lanka ranked ninth in the T20 rankings. Well, despite their bad performance, these men can easily make it into the next stage with the number of wizard players in their line-up. Avishka Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Dushmantha Chameera, an all-rounding team like this, can knock down any opponent.

Tournament history

Sri Lanka had lifted the trophy back then in 2014 beating, India comfortably. The remarkable half-century of Kumar Sangakkara and fine spells by Angelo Mathews, Lasith Malinga, and Rangana Herath made it look easy.

Ireland, Netherlands, and Namibia  

Considered underdogs, but can hit down any of the opponents. Not to forget that the Dutch chalked up the remarkable victory over a team England in 2014. Similarly, Netherlands notched a famous victory over Pakistan in the T20 World cup 2007. Having said that, they can upset any of the team and can earn a surprising movement to Round 12. On the other hand, Namibia will be making the T20 World cup debut this October. Ireland, Netherlands, and Namibia stands at 12th, 17th, and 19th in the T20 rankings.

 Tournament history

The Irish, Dutch, and Namibia are yet to earn a title in the T20 World cup.

Group B

Bangladesh, Scotland, Oman, Papua New Guinea

Bangladesh

Occupying 10th place on the ICC T20I rankings, Bangladesh is organized to clash with the group teams. Lately, they have outshined the B teams of Australia and New Zealand. Moreover, the return of Shakib-ul-Hassan is a cheerful sign and having a comprehensive bowling unit can do wonders for the team Bangladesh.

Tournament history

Mahmudullah Riyad’s men are yet to lift the trophy but have qualified for the Super 8s in the inaugural T20 tournament, 2007. However, Bengal tigers are all geared up to go further than just qualifying for the super 12.

Scotland, Oman, and Papua New Guinea

Scotland defeated the host team to reach it into round one of the T20 world cup. Their lone victory in the T20 world cup was against Hong-Kong so surely they are readying themselves for the exciting start.

On the other hand, Oman also qualified for the 2nd time for the T20 World cup and has earned herself two victories in the previous edition of the T20 world cup. Furthermore, Papua New Guinea qualified for the first time into the world cup. After topping their group stage, they surely will be forward for the great maiden start.

Tournament history

Scotland, Oman, and Papua New Guinea, will be looking for their maiden tile.

Super 12

Super 12 consists of the top eight ranked teams in the ICC T20I rankings. Let’s have a look at who is already in the safe zone; meaning no need to qualify for the T20 world cup, of course, they need to qualify for the semi-final and final.

Group 1: England, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, Winner Group A, Runner-up Group B

England

Number one ranked team in T20I and is in ominous form to crash down any team. Morgan men recently earned their first title in the ODI men’s world cup and are now in the hunt to lift up the T20 trophy the second time. Moreover, the absence of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer might hurt team England but their solid bowling attack and clean hitters can turn around the games in no time.

Match to watch out for

England Vs West Indies going to be really fun as four years back the mighty West Indies recorded a tremendous victory in the final.

Tournament history

England crowned the T20 world cup back in 2010 when they thrashed Australia in the final. Clearly, team England is looking for another title this year.

Australia

Team Australia has faced a rough patch as far as the T20 world cups is concerned..lately, Bangladesh and West Indies have thrashed them in T20I. Moreover, Aaron Finch’s men will be fighting for their first title. The Squad of team Australia is balanced and hold the capacity to win matches.

Match to watch out

Australia Vs England, as the team England knocked down them in 2010 and named their first title in the T20 world cup. Moreover, the brutal pace attack of both teams might manage to produce an exciting match.

 Tournament history

The T20 world cup for Australian men has been a hurtful journey, unlike ODIs men world cup. The kangaroo’s men lost their semi-final in 2007 and 2012 and final in 2010.

South Africa

South Africans are always unlucky when it comes to the main events of ICC. They fought hard every time but never managed to win the T20 world cup trophy. The sixth-ranked team in T20I rankings are undergoing different transitions and probably will rise as the steady side. The Temba Bavuma men’s will quest for their first title in this year’s T20 World cup.

Match to watch out for

South Africa Vs Australia would surely be an entertaining match as both of the teams are equipped with a classy bowling line-up.

Tournament history

South Africa lost their semi-final from Pakistan in 2009 and it was the first match they lost in that tournament. Moreover, in 2014, Kohli’s men knocked them out of the tournament.

West Indies

The mighty West Indies have enough resources to tackle any bowling attack and have got such a bowling unit that can rattle up any opposition. The men in the maroon have earned the title twice one in 2012 and the other in 2016. So, the West indies are the defending champions. With giant hitters and talented all-rounders, it wouldn’t be easy to beat them.

Match to watch out for

As discussed earlier, the match between England and West Indies would be the best match to watch out for.

Tournament history

The men in maroon have fared brilliantly in their T20 world cup campaign, as they earned the title twice and semi-final in 2009 and 2014 respectively

Group 2: India, Pakistan New Zealand, Afghanistan, Winner Group B, Runner-up Group A

India

Standing 2 in terms of rankings, the men in blue can beat anyone with their balanced team. They keep quality T20 players on their side and can smack down any side. With exciting all-rounders and spinners, India is a favourite to claim their 2nd trophy in the T20 world cup. Moreover, India will likely get to play IPL in UAE, and this experience will help them to build a quality playing xi in the T20 world cup in UAE.

Match to watch out for

Undoubtedly with Pakistan. Pakistan and India have been rivals and their matches are even watches by everyone let alone cricket lovers. India will try to dominate their lead over Pakistan in ICC events.

Tournament history

India is the first team that won the T20 World cup beating Pakistan in the inaugural edition of the T20 world cup. Moreover, in 2016 the team India made their way to the final only to get tumbled by Sri Lanka.

Pakistan

The men in green are determined to find their 2nd title in this year’s T20 world cup. Team Pakistan has been remarkably good in the T20 format and has versatile players in their squad. Babar’s men have quality batter and of them is Babar himself, the best in the business. Moreover, in form Mohammad Rizwan, who is juggling between two roles, can provide a vital and healthy stand for the team. The pace of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hassan Ali can disconcert the opponent!

Match to watch out for

Well, Pakistan Vs India, are obvious rivals and this team Babar’s men will be excited to best India to end their winning campaign. So, Pakistan Vs India is the must-see and most thrilling match.

Tournament history

Pakistan crowned the T20 world cup in 2009 beating the team Sri Lanka. Moreover, team Pakistan has been a consistent performer in the T20 world cup was runner ups in the 2007 final and played a semi-final in 2010 and 2012

New Zealand

New Zealand will be starting their tour on high hopes and with a great morale boost. Since they lifted up the mace of ICC test championship lately, they will be looking for the T20 world cup title too. The Williamson-men has a fine line-up which can result in earning their first title.

Match to watch out for

 India Vs New Zealand would be an interesting one because the Kiwis haven’t lost any match to India in ICC tournament since 2003. So, India will be eager to end this winning streak of

New Zealand

Tournament history

Team New Zealand will be chasing their first title of the T20 world cup this year. They ended up in the semi-final twice to get toppled against Pakistan and England in 2009 and 2016 respectively.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan has a fancy chance to shine in this world cup with their quality spin attack and power hitters. Moreover, Afghanistan has the experience to play in UAE just like Pakistan. So, it wouldn’t be surprising if they make huge progress in this year’s T20 world cup. However, Rashid Khan stepping down as the captain might put things in another way but overall the Afghanistan squad look near perfect.

Match to watch out for

Afghanistan Vs Pakistan would be an interesting contest. When the last time Afghanistan encountered team Pakistan in the ICC ODI world cup, the match was exciting and thrilling. So, fans will be waiting for another electrifying contest

Tournament history

Afghanistan made their T20 world cup debut in 2010 but never managed to win a title. So, they also will be fighting for their maiden title like Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and so on.