The hiatus of a very long 5 years is due to end as ICC T20 World Cup 2021 is about to start on 17th of October. This time 12 nations are going to compete for the elusive Trophy as earlier there were 10. Out of the 12 Nations there are 4 spots are to be filled. 2 groups have been made which are as follows:
| Group A | Group B |
| Netherlands | PNG (Papua New Guinea) |
| Sri Lanka | Scotland |
| Ireland | Bangladesh |
| Namibia | Oman |
From Group A & Group B only 4 teams with 2 teams per group can advance to the main marquee tournament. The team which wins all the 3 matches will definitely qualify to the Super 12 whereas 2 matches with good NRR (Net Run Rate) can book a berth.
- Group A
Group A is going to be extremely intense as there is a bit of shocker as the former T20 World Cup Champions (2014) Sri Lanka are going to play Qualifiers. The majority of Group A matches are going to be played at Abu Dhabi; while the decisive day’s fixture (22 October) of Qualifiers is going to be played at Sharjah which can raise a lot of eyebrows for the teams.
- Netherlands
Netherlands come in this T20 World Cup as one of the most experienced Nation amongst the members as this is their 4th appearance. Netherlands have had good memories in T20 World Cup as they have beaten England in 2009 & in 2014. The problem for Netherlands is that their core team hasn’t played enough Cricket Together. There is wealth of experience in the dug out in the form of Ryan Ten Doeschate & Roelof van der Merwe. The experienced players responsibility is not just only to score runs & take wickets but to guide the team members. The team of Netherlands is threatening as in 2014 T20 World Cup they had given the Proteas a scare of life as South Africa snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as they had won the game by 6 runs only. Netherlands is going to play 2 day matches out of 3 at the Abu Dhabi where the temperature is in the mid-30s while there is going to be a lot of humidity. Netherlands had won the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in 2019 which is a dangerous sign for the other sides.
- Sri Lanka
For Sri Lanka this is about their respect & integrity in World Cricket; because if they fail to pass this hurdle it would be the darkest hour in the history of Sri Lankan Cricket. Sri Lanka is going through a massive revamp. The main concern for Sri Lanka is their batting as recently Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunaratne & Niroshan Dickwella were suspended for 1 year for their bio-bubble protocol breach in England. All these three batters were the senior players while Angelo Mathews has chosen not to play citing low annual fee. There is immense amount of responsibility on the shoulders of Coach Mickey Arthur & the captain Dasun Shanaka. The likes of Avishka Fernando, Dhananjay de Silva & Dinesh Chandimal need to do the bulk of scoring (*Kusal Perera subjected to fitness). Sri Lanka’s bowlers have an undisputed strength of spin bowling which can dismantle any team on their day; but for that to happen they need support of batters. There is a slight ray of hope for Sri Lanka as earlier in July Sri Lanka had won T20I Series against India by 2-1. In that Series India were jolted by Covid-19 but at the same defeating any India Side is not a cake walk. In all these circumstances Sri Lanka would require more than a miracle. Sri Lanka have a major advantage in the group as they will play all their 3 matches in the night; particularly on the final day of fixture where they will know the scenario of qualifying.
- Ireland
Ireland is the most consistent team as this is their 6th appearance in the ICC T20 World Cup. Ireland’s team is full power packed which can tick all the boxes on the game day as there is a good mixture of youth & experience. Ireland’s weapon is their batting as they have got the dangerous line up with Paul Stirling & Kevin O Brien who can take the game away within a blink of eye. The major concern for Ireland is that they are too much reliant on Paul Stirling which makes easier for opposition. Ireland would hope & believe that they would outclass Netherlands as earlier in 2014 Netherlands had given them a heart-attack by chasing down 190 in 13.5 overs. Ireland is also going to play 2 day matches but not at Abu Dhabi only. Ireland have got everything to go all the way; but at the end of the day, it all comes done to the execution.
- Namibia
For Namibia this is a state of merriment as they have made it to the ICC T20 World Cup for the first time & they have returned back to ICC Tournaments after a long drought of 18 years as earlier they had participated in ICC 2003 Cricket World Cup. Namibia is placed in the toughest group as they can’t afford any slips. It is said that this is Namibia’s golden generation as they have got puissant batters & impeccable bowlers. Namibia is also going to play 2-day games similar to Ireland. The task is cut out for Namibia as they have to be ruthless to assert dominance which may sound odd & too much but that is their only option.
The Top 2 teams will go into the Super 12 Group which may be:
- Netherlands are red hot favorites to advance as they are used to create upsets.
- Ireland has a habit to play like a team which will take them forward.
Sri Lanka have a lot to do in terms of their batting line up & selection and it looks unlikely that everything be in place at the time.
Namibia is a juvenile team in respect to their experience which no doubt will enhance as this tournament is a stepping stone & they will get used to the format & to the electric atmosphere.
- Group B
Group B is not that much competitive but there is a sigh of relief for Bangladesh & Scotland as they are going to face the minnows: PNG (Papua New Guinea) & Oman. All the matches of Group B are going to be played at Oman which undoubtedly makes the matches more exciting as all the teams would get acclimatized to the conditions.
- PNG
PNG won’t be able to believe that their arduous hard work has paid off as this is their maiden ICC Tournament in which they are participating. PNG have been trying to qualify for the T20 World Cup since last 3 editions but they ended up on the loosing side but in 2019 they finished as Runners-up which earned them a spot in the Tournament. PNG has had success against Ireland & Netherlands in the past which can be scary for the other teams. PNG are fortunate enough to play all their 3 matches at day as they would aim to be party-spoilers & somehow make a name for themselves.
- Scotland
This is Scotland’s 4th Appearance at the T20 World Cup as they are quite consistent. The main trait of Scotland is their batting prowess. Scotland need to be wary of the spin threat as Bangladesh & the rest of the teams would exploit their lapse in concentration. Scotland hasn’t defeated a strong opponent in T20 World Cup which would be in their mind. Scotland are due to play 2 Night Matches but not back -to- back. Scotland should fancy their chances as beating PNG & Oman shouldn’t be a tough task.
- Bangladesh
Bangladesh would regret the fact that they are going to play Qualifiers as they have a prestigious history of defeating big teams. Bangladesh will unarguably bank on their spin hub who have recently given sleepless nights to Cricket Australia (CA) & New Zealand Cricket (NZC). There lies a huge void in Bangladesh’s which is their batting as their batters can’t put a competitive total of 150-160 runs which is a must regardless of the pitch. The likes of Shakib, Rahim & Mahmudullah need to switch gears quickly as the rest of the batting line up hasn’t performed according to the potential. Bangladesh is going to play back-to-back night matches. Bangladesh needs to make sure that they don’t take Scotland lightly as Scotland too will be eager to start their campaign on a winning note. Even if Bangladesh somehow gets defeated then it shouldn’t bother them as they have got the experience to outfox Oman & PNG.
- Oman
This is Oman’s consecutive appearance in the T20 World Cup. Oman couldn’t have asked for a better time to participate in the T20 World Cup as they are playing in their home conditions which not only suits them but they will have a lucid idea about how to succeed. Oman have also tasted success against the likes of Ireland & Netherlands which is an ominous sign as they can be uninvited hosts/ghosts for the team. Oman is going to play back-to-back matches at the night. Oman can inflict a lot of damage by defeating Scotland or Bangladesh and if they do, they can knock over either of these two teams.
The Top 2 teams will go into the Super 12 Group which may be:
- Bangladesh has a tendency to find match winners on the given day.
- Scotland’s team spirit will hold them in good stead to qualify.
PNG should keep in mind one thing that they have come a long way ahead & they should not get disheartened as they have made a name for themselves.
Oman has a golden chance to qualify but the lack of International Cricket experience will undo them & they should take this as a learning curve.
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