ICC T20 WCQ 2019: 5 players to watch out for

UAE hosts the battle between fourteen teams to qualify for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2020. Six teams out of the fourteen have a chance to join Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the first round of the World Cup in Australia.

Two groups A and B separate the fourteen contesting teams. Group A consists of Scotland, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Namibia, Singapore, Kenya, and Bermuda.

In Group B are teams such as UAE, Ireland, Oman, Hong Kong, Canada, Jersey, and Nigeria. Scotland is a team to watch out for as they are leading in ICC T20I Team Rankings at #11. Following them are the hosts UAE at #12 and Ireland at #14.

Tournaments involving teams such as these don't attract most mainstream cricket fans. However, it is significant because of what is at stake. The stars who compete in the event are not less significant either.

Most of them are lesser-known, but performance-wise they speak volumes for themselves. Five individuals competing in the tournament require special mention because of their incredible exploits. Let us have a look at them.

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#5 Ryan ten Doeschate

Ryan ten Doeschate

Ryan ten Doeschate is a high profile star to play this competition. Being a T20 freelancer, the Dutch player is well-known all over the world. IPL aficionados know that he was the first associate player to win an IPL contract.

Kolkata Knight Riders picked him for $150,000 in the 2011 auction. As an explosive striker, he contributed much to the franchise in his five-year tenure. Thanks to his pyrotechnics, KKR fans enjoyed seeing him on the pitch, just like the fans of other leagues.

As far as overall T20 stats are concerned, ten Doeschate has 6946 runs and 114 wickets in 346 matches. The veteran has won the ICC Associate Player of the Year award on a record three occasions (2008, 2010, and 2011).

With a wealth of cricketing knowledge and skills, the 39-year-old could play a crucial role in what might be his last assignment before a walk into the sunset.

ten Doeschate is an expert hand at County cricket as well.

Also see - Live cricket score

#4 Ravinderpal Singh

Ravinderpal Singh

Ravinderpal Singh has the experience of playing under the captaincy of the 2011 World Cup-winning stalwart Yuvraj Singh for the Toronto Nationals in GT20 Canada 2019. However, he didn't do well in that tournament.

Shortly after the T20 tournament, however, the 30-year-old made a record by scoring a century on his T20I debut. With his 48-ball-101, the Canada batter overtook Ricky Ponting, who scored 98 in his T20I debut back in 2005.

Overtaking a 14-year-old record set by a legend like Ponting is no ordinary feat. Therefore, the right-hander has tons of ammo to set the stage on fire.

Ricky Ponting.

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#3 Shaiman Anwar

Shaiman Anwar

Shaiman Anwar was the third leading run-scorer in the 2019 GT20 League Canada. The UAE batsman contributed 296 runs at a strike rate of 190.96 for his team Winnipeg Hawks. Anwar's 45-ball-90 helped the team win the finals of the 2019 GT20 League.

Standing on the frontline and playing an attacking brand of cricket makes him a valuable asset for the UAE cricket team. In the T20 World Cup Qualifiers, the team would be banking on him to lead from the front. With 971 runs in 32 T20I games, Anwar had always been consistent for them.

#2 Tim David

Tim David

Tim David has the experience of competing with top Australian cricketers in the Big Bash League. He played a handful of matches for the Perth Scorchers in the 2017-18 season. The 23-year-old has an excellent T20I record of 281 runs from 6 innings at 56.20 average.

It was David who carried his team to this tournament by scoring 77 runs in 43 balls against Nepal in the Asia Region Qualifiers. Such maturity and responsibility the player has at a very young age look startling. We need to see how far he takes Singapore in this tournament.

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#1 Kevin O'Brien

Kevin O'Brien.

Kevin O'Brien is a match-winner for Ireland. In the 2011 World Cup against England, O'Brien recorded the fastest ever century in an ODI World Cup by notching it in fifty balls. As an Irish sportsperson, O'Brien is the first to represent the country in 300 games.

Looking at his experience and reputation, O'Brien is someone who has skills alomst equal to the players of top teams The 35-year-old has 1363 runs and 58 wickets to his name in 82 T20Is.