On To The T20 World Cup 2022

Once again it’s October. And we are bracing for yet another T20 World Cup, in less than a year. Same month but different seasons. If the previous mega event was hosted in the Middle Eastern autumn, this one will be staged in the Oceania’s spring. The cricketing world’s focus has now traversed many a sea and shifted to the land of Koalas, Kangaroos and Kookaburras.

It will be no hyperbole to state that the playing conditions will totally be altered in Australia with its fast bouncy pitches contrasting to the sluggish strips of the UAE. If spinners had their say in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, the seamers will hold sway in Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne.

Australia, which has an insatiable thirst for world cup titles, is all set to host its first ever T20 world cup. Not only are Aussies the defending champions, they also start as one of the tournament favourites, though one would be hard pressed to recall a time when they weren’t. Even though they have lost their previous two T20 series in the build up to the world cup against India and England yet you know the focus will be back, come the first match of the tournament.

So we have also decided to jump the bandwagon of experts in order to predict the fore runners and the underdogs. Some would argue that in this format there are no underdogs as all stand a chance to win on a given day. You can expect anything and predict very little. Afghanistan has the ability to upset any big team on their day, Sri Lanka recently won the Asia cup even though they lost their opening match against Afghanistan. Sri Lanka, also in the same tournament, twice defeated Pakistan and won against one of the world’s best team, India.

India, on the other hand, is an excellent team which is led by an inspiring captain. They have an exceptional batting line which includes experience, power hitters and game changers. However, they lack the same ability in the bowling department. When India last won an ICC tournament it wasback in 2013. 2021 T20 world cup was another forgetful tournament when India was unable to make it to the semifinals. So, they have the ability and the team but the question that arises is can they handle the pressure and win in Australia. To do that they need to defeat the heavy weights like England and Australia.

To talk about the heavy weights, England is one heck of a team. They have fearless batters and bowlers who keep playing their own game without feeling the slightest of pressure. With Buttler back in the team and Hales return to form as well as England’s batters ability to muster a total in excess of 200 against any bowling line up, the three lions are set to roar once again.

Moving on to South Africa, Brexit has definitely benefitted them as it meant the end of Kolpak deals. This has brought back RileeRossouw and many other players back to South Africa and are now available for selection. RileeRossouw’s availability has strengthened South Africa’s batting line and with the likes of De Kock, Markram and Miller their power hitters can chase down any targets. Rassie van der Dussan’s injury is surely a great loss as he’s been their best limited over batter in recent times. Since they are not burdened with the tag of favourites this world cup they might just not choke when it really counts. The springboks have never won a world cup and only managed one Champions trophy title back in 1998 but maybe it’s the year they defy history.

New Zealand, on the other hand, faces similar issues. They have a team but don’t have the X factor to win the world cup. The question that arises is will they be able to score enough runs which their bowlers can defend. But the kiwis have a way of surprising all and sundry in the big tournaments. And you never know whether this is the year they take home the trophy.

West Indies has been good in this format since its inception. They have produced players who are phenomenal in the shortest format. Last world cup they came out with an aging cavalry; this time around they have put their faith in the young lancers. They fight fearlessly but lack the discipline that turns a horde into any army.

With Shaheen Shah fit and available for the first match of the tournament and Haris Rauf maturing into the finest white ball bowler in the past few months, with Shadab and Nawaz in the tow, our bowling attack is the most well rounded of all the participating teams. Baber and Rizwan are among the top three T20 batters in the ICC ratings – with the latter topping the charts – who form a formidable opening partnership. They have the support of Fakhar (fit again) Haider (finally looking good) and power hitters Shadab, Asif and Nawaz to challenge any bowling attack on a given day. Only if they can be a little more daring; only if they can unshackle themselves from the self-imposed restraints will they be able to instill fear in the hearts of other teams. We don’t advise them to throw caution to the proverbial wind but ask them to not use it as a cloak. Only if…