Cricket World Cup 2019: The Underdogs

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The ICC World Cup 2019 is criticized by many for not allowing more associate nations to compete in it. A 14-team or 16-team pool is what they wish for. While expanding the reach of the game is important, a Twenty20 World Cup is better suited to have a bigger group of countries compete.

Not every nation makes rapid strides like Afghanistan. It is counterproductive for the ODI World Cup to have matches that are not of the highest quality. The stakes should always be high. This would become apparent in this round-robin format where there are just no easy games.

A team can win its matches against the underdogs, yet miss out on the semi-finals and a strong team can pay a heavy price if they lose to an underdog despite doing well overall. Every point is important.

Three of the countries billed as underdogs have also been World Champions (Pakistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka) and there is a genuine possibility of them upsetting the applecarts of the favourites. Here's looking at the countries that begin slightly less fancied but are more than a handful on their day.

Also read: ICC World Cup 2019: The Favourites


#1 Pakistan

Pakistan can be feeble on one day and explosive the other
Pakistan can be feeble on one day and explosive the other

Predicting anything regarding Pakistan is rife with risk but an underdog tag suits them the best. One of the limiting factors of this Pakistani side is that they can't out-bat a majority of their opponents. The squad gives the feeling that they are still in the early 2000s and the rest of the world has moved on - updated, improved, and recalibrated.

Yet, they are the holders of the last big ICC marquee event - ICC Champions Trophy in 2017. The biggest mistake Pakistan will be doing is to hold on to that memory, just as they have held on to their 1992 moment for an unhealthily long time. They do still have the element of surprise as not enough sides have played them regularly.

Current ICC Ranking: 6

Captain: Sarfraz Ahmed | Key Players: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali

#2 Bangladesh

Bangladesh enter this World Cup with their highest ODI ranking
Bangladesh enter this World Cup with their highest ODI ranking

Bangladesh is the least effervescent of the underdogs yet their fans think the world of them. A lot of them are hero-worshipped. It is an asset to any team, to have the vociferous, sustained support of millions - who see success in cricket as a validation of their standing in the world.

It is also why the loses they incur are accompanied by outbursts of anguish and burning pain. Bangladesh has improved more in this decade that the last and that improvement is being recognized. They have good bowling resources. Opponents thus do not play them lightly or with their second-string squads.

They will nick matches here and there, but a semi-final berth, a step beyond last edition's quarters looks a bit out of reach.

Current ICC Ranking: 7

Captain: Mashrafe Mortaza | Key Players: Soumya Sarkar, Mustafizur Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan

#3 Windies

A team that can smoke any opposition on their day
A team that can smoke any opposition on their day

The Windies are without a doubt the most improved side of the past year. The Caribbeans bat deep and will blitz the opposition in a no holds barred hitting contest. Their hitters launch the ball into orbits that dwarf, the swaying palms of the Caribbean and do it with the joie de vivre and nonchalance of a tipsy pirate.

Any team that gets themselves into a situation where the required equation reads mildly Twenty20-esque and the West Indies become a serious threat. They can out-hit anyone. They have Chris Gayle. Far often than not, it is the brain that wins the battle than the brawn in ODIs.

If they strategize well enough and execute their blitzkriegs, it could become very exciting. Their success could signal the legitimate Twenty20-isation of ODI cricket.

Current ICC Ranking: 8

Captain: Jason Holder | Key Players: Andre Russell, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicolas Pooran

#4 Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka enters the World Cup depleted and undercooked
Sri Lanka enters the World Cup depleted and undercooked

Despite being gutted by the retirements of their best talent in years, Sri Lanka is not short of maverick, unorthodox players. The mystery bowlers from this tiny island nation turn up like with the regularity of sea tides. Batsmen are often left wondering - what is this coming towards me? Why is the ball defying laws of physics? What sorcery was that?

They still have world-class players; however, they are not a unit that can string together a title challenging sequence of victories. The Lankans have also stopped depending massively on spinners in the ODIs with pacers and all-rounders becoming match winners.

The Islanders have a good core, but it has not gelled cohesively yet. Watching them will be frequently frustrating and intermittently exhilarating.

Current ICC Ranking: 9

Captain: Dimuth Karunaratne | Key Players: Lasith Malinga, Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews

#5 Afghanistan

  Afghanistan arrive with a lot of spunk and promise
Afghanistan arrive with a lot of spunk and promise

The Afghans have the potential to defeat any nation convincingly among the underdogs. And they can spring a surprise on any of the favorites. They are free-spirited and devoid of any fear. There is no stage-fright that usually trips over the underdogs as they approach a victory. They already have their first Test win under their belt, which is a testament to their remarkable rate of progress.

They will win more games and will be more competitive than any associate nation would have. Coached by Phil Simmons they are an experienced side with enough games under their belt together as a group.

It will be fascinating to see the journey of a country which has been quickest in adapting to international standards after gaining official status. Afghanistan will win hearts for sure for their gumption and verve.

Current ICC Ranking: 10

Captain: Gulbadin Naib | Key Players: Mohammad Nabi, Mohammad Shehzad, Rashid Khan

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Edited by Namitha H N