The T20 world cup Starts this Sunday will the
qualifying round matches as 8 teams battle it out for the last 4 spots in the
Super 12.
Today we look at Group
A and B from the qualifiers round and see who is the favourite in the top 2
of each group.
The Netherlands in my opinion is one of the 2 favourites to
make the top 2 in Group A. This Netherlands side is experienced and also has
players who are familiar with the conditions in Australia as they have played
domestic or club cricket in Australia. The most experienced will be Tom Cooper
who plays for South Australia in the Australian domestic circuit.
The Netherlands will also count on the experience of Van der
Merwe who has played a lot of his cricket in South Africa whose conditions are
very similar to Australian conditions. The Netherlands will also be boosted by
the return of Klaasen and Van der Gugten to the bowling department. In the
batting, the return of Colin Ackermann and Steve Myburgh will give them a more
dangerous look as they bring experience with them of playing against the best
players in the world.
This Netherlands team is a solid one and I expect them
to finish as runners-up in group A and join group 2 in the super 12.
Predicted: finish bottom of group 2 in super 12
This is a very inexperienced squad the UAE have selected.
The biggest talking point being they have left out their most experienced
player Rohan Mustafa.
This is a team that will struggle and is the weakest in
group A. They have a history of not doing well outside the subcontinent and I
think this time will be no different as their inexperience will be their
biggest downfall.
One player to look out for will be m. Waseem is an
aggressive opening batsman originally from Pakistan.
Prediction: Finish last in the Group A qualifier
Namibia for me will be the dark horse of group A to make the super 12 as they have a similar squad to last year and the only thing that might affect them is lack of game time as a team. They did have a tri-series against a domestic team from South Africa and Pakistan. The tri-series might have helped with their preparation, but I don’t think it will be enough in terms of preparing them for the challenge Sri Lanka and the Netherlands will put in front of them.
Prediction: 3rd place in Group A of the qualifier
This is the favourite to top group A and join group 1 in the
Super 12. The Sri Lankan team will be boosted by the return of Chameera and
Kumara to strengthen their bowling attack. Sri Lanka will look to build off the
confidence they gained by winning the Asia cup last month.
Led by captain Shanaka this Sri Lankan team is a dark horse
to win the T20 world cup and surprise all by making it to the last 4.
They have good batting depth which will give their batsman
up front the freedom to play their shots from the get-go and post big totals.
Batsman to watch out for Rajapaksa, De silva and Nissanka
Prediction: 4th place in the Super 12
This is the group of
death of the first round of this year's World T20 as all 4 teams are capable of
making it through to the next round.
The Scottish will be out to once again surprise the world
and look to qualify for the Super 12 in this year's World T20. They play all
their matches at Bellerive Oval Hobart. The conditions are similar to the UK
and will assist seamers. Will Scotland be able to make this a home away from
home and spring up a surprise or 2 as they try to qualify for the Super 12?
Do I see them making it through no I don’t? I think the West
Indies, Ireland and Zimbabwe will prove to be too strong for them
Prediction: last in group B of the qualifier
The Irish will also look to make the Bellerive Oval Hobart
home away from Home as conditions will be similar to conditions back in the UK
for them as well. The Irish look like a well-balanced unit and they won't
surprise me if they manage to make it to the Super 12 ad they will be looking
for some redemption after last year's disastrous performance.
I think they will just miss out on qualifying for the super
12 as they will be edged out by either Zimbabwe or The West Indies
Prediction: 3rd in group B of the Qualifier
Zimbabwe is a team on a mission as they last played a top
ICC event in 2016 they will have a point to prove after missing last year's
event due to board problems. Their star batsman Sikandar Raza is enjoying the
form of his life and he will want to lead the charge along with their
experienced batting order to make sure zimbabwe makes it to the Super 12. Raza
is also handy with the ball and Zimbabwe has a good bowling attack that will
enjoy conditions in Australia.
The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Muzarabani and
Zimbabwe will hope he can deliver on the big stage as this will be his 1st
World cup.
I expect them to make the Super 12 as Runners up of Group B
in the Qualifier and join group 1
Prediction: last/5th
in Group 1 of Super 12
The men in Maroon will be looking to put the performance of
last year's event behind them and rise once again as the most dangerous T20
team in world cricket. For that to happen they have a lot of work to do and I
see them struggling in the Super 12 if they make it there. I don’t think we
will see the West Indies of old but this young side can provide some flair and
power-hitting entertainment just like their predecessors
They have been dealt a blow as Hetmyer has been dropped
after he missed his flight twice due to family reasons and the West Indies
cricket board decided to replace him with Shamar Brooks. This is not ideal but
it's an opportunity for someone else to step up and fill the gap left by
Hetmyer.
They will be
favourites to top Group B of the Qualifier and join Group 2 in the Super 12
Prediction: 4th/5th in Group 2 Super
12
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Writer: Ebrahim Yusuf Omar
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