Here is a quick preview of the teams in the fray for World T20 title starting this Friday part 1.
1. Afghanistan
Their march to the world edition is a fairytale and as I said in my last post in the preview to the game vs India, the journey to the edition by a war torn country speaks volumes of the willpower the cricketers in the country have. They wont win any game but they may create flutter or some panic with their natural style of play, which I gather is aggressive and they being strongly built could hit powerful hits.
2. Australia
The only tournament they have not yet won and the tournament they have a pathetic record in. They lost to eventual champions India in the 2007 edition in semis and in 2009 were kicked out in first round itself after being Gayle’d and Mendis’ed in the league stage. This year they have a new captain who’s asked for T20 contracts, they have a strong bowling attack and they have David Warner. They’ve also got in couple of T20 specialists in addition to the experienced guys like Clark, Hussey brothers and Cameron White.
Verdict : One of the semi finalists
3. Bangladesh
They would live up their reputation – either they’d lose all games or beat at least one big team and go in next round. The thing is they are A2 and Australia is unseeded. If they could beat Pakistan and then lose to Australia, then Australia beat Pakistan further turmoil could grip Pakistan team. They have power hitters but most of them do not apply brains before they hit. If they could they could create a couple of upsets too.
Verdict : Tough to see them going beyond league stage
4. England
Regular under achievers and regular captain. They do not have their regular Tests captain and the man who led them in BD. But the trio of Colly, Morgan and KP aided with couple of strong bowling performances could see them going to the semis. They’d need to be consistent and they’d also need to shed the consistency in losing out at stage when it matters the most. They reached super 8s in last editions but failed to go further. This one could see them go to the semis only if they play a bit better than they usually do.
Verdict: Tough to reach semis, surety for Super 8s
5. India
2007 champions, IPL’ed country and a team that boasts of some super hitting batsmen in the format of the game. But horribly out of form. None of the batsmen in the team expected to make it to the final XI had a great IPL. The team would mostly rely on the batting prowess of Gambhir, MSD, Yuvraj and Raina. It could be Rohit Sharma or M Vijay who could open with Gambhir in absence of Sehwag. Bowling would be the key for India to go the distance, but given huge experience of IPL for the lads, the team should make it to the semis and try to avoid the mistakes it made in super 8s stage in England. The wkts would be more or like we’ve got at home yet the choice of # 7 (one of Jadeja / Pathan) could be the X-factor for the team.
Verdict: Should make it to the semis
6. Ireland
Return to the country where they made a mark in 2007 ODI World Cup could inspire them to create a flutter or 2. They could very well manage to upset one of WI or Eng, but if they do not they stand little chance to go the distance.
7. NZ
They make it to the semis of alternate ICC events and they even played final in the CT 2009, so now they should lose before semis. They’ve got a strong batting in McCullum, Taylor and Ryder. And add wily Daniel Vettori, the team should be able to make it to the semis. They’ve played most T20Is than any other country. McCullum is in awesome form and Aussies would swear by that.
Verdict: Semis
8. Pakistan
Defending champs, country with best record in T20Is, country with best record in WT20 (both editions, they never lost before final) and the worst record in terms of discipline and team spirits. They are a team rigged with infighting, chauvinism, favoritism and back biting. A new captain who doesn’t hesitate in biting the ball, the players who do not think before pulling each other and a bowling attack that looks strong on paper boasting of Aamer, Asif and Sami. Well this players were part of disastrous Australia tour where they could not pluck anything, so its unlikely that they would make a difference here. Batting is weak with no Malik and Younis. A lot would depend upon young Akamal and the captain himself. If they do play after they find time off fighting and plotting each other’s downfall they could reach the super 8s.
Verdict : Super 8s. Not beyond that.
SA, SL and WI to follow next post.
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