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Over the past few days, the prospect of an India-Pakistan clash at the T20 World Cup has left cricket fans salivating. Not only would the two teams be locking horns for the first time since the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, this encounter could potentially have a massive say in how the T20 World Cup materializes.
Before the tournament began, several experts and pundits had opined that Asian teams, in particular, would be significantly stronger at this year’s T20 World Cup – because of their acclimatization to the UAE weather and also because of their familiarity with the surfaces.
At one point, it seemed that Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan would contest a mini-Asia Cup in their Super 12 group. However, Bangladesh’s shock defeat to Scotland has meant that the latter has qualified as the group toppers instead.
That, in addition to the inclusion of Namibia, post their watershed victory against Ireland, has added another layer of intrigue to what was already a fascinating group.
And, if that wasn’t enough, these teams also have to contend with New Zealand – the perennial underdogs but an outfit that has slowly cast itself as favourites every time they step onto the field in ICC events.
Thus, it seems incredibly difficult to predict how Group 2 of the Super 12 would shape up at the 2021 T20 World Cup. But with the opening encounter between India and Pakistan still a moon away, it might perhaps be prudent to identify the factors that could define this particular bracket.
And, of course, pencil down which team seems most likely to make the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.
#6 Namibia
Not many teams made as much of a splash in Round 1 of the T20 World Cup as Namibia. Prior to these games, the African nation were looked upon as a side that would make up the numbers. However, as the qualifying stage progressed, they seemed every bit the team that had become constant features in ICC tournaments in the 2000s and were looking to make up for lost time.
On paper, David Wiese’s introduction into the set-up seems to have galvanized a country that was looking to punch above their weight. The bare fact, though, remains that Namibia have relied on a strong core and have almost always found someone capable of standing up to adversity.
In the Super 12 phase, too, that could come in handy, especially as the toughness of their task increases ten-fold. Not only do they have to tackle Afghanistan and Pakistan on tricky tracks, they also have to face the mighty Indians.
For any other team, that alone might prove too daunting. Yet, as Namibia have already shown at the T20 World Cup, they care little for reputation, meaning that they could have a major say in how this group pans out.
Having said that, Namibia, owing to their slight inexperience, might start feeling the pinch soon, especially when the pressure is amped up against top-quality teams.
Realistically, their only chance of victory seems against Scotland, which considering the Scots’ recent rise, is also an arduous task. Namibia will still continue to threaten teams at the T20 World Cup, make no mistake about it. Ultimately, though, they might just fall a little short.
#5 Scotland
A week ago, Scotland were cast as the team that would accompany Bangladesh into the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup. Now, they are the nation that hasn’t only humbled the Tigers but also ensured that the latter has meandered into the more dangerous Super 12 group.
Much of Scotland’s success at the T20 World Cup has revolved around their spinners. Chris Greaves was sensational against Bangladesh and while he hasn’t had a similar impact since, he has kept things ticking nicely. Mark Watt and Michael Leask have also risen to the fore, meaning that the Scots have been able to curb the run-flow during the middle overs.
Apart from that, Brad Wheal and Josh Davey have been tidy at the start and towards the end of an innings – something that has enabled Scotland to apply sustained pressure.
The biggest positive, though, came in the last group fixture against Oman, wherein Kyle Coetzer, who had been enduring a wretched run of form, produced a crucial 41-run knock. Matthew Cross and Richie Berrington, who has already been among the runs in the T20 World Cup, applied the finishing touches and painted a solid picture for their batting unit.
Despite Scotland’s form, there isn’t a lot to suggest that they would be able to ruffle the feathers of the more established teams. However, as Bangladesh found out lately, the Scots can be taken lightly at one’s own peril.
To that end, they might still cause the odd flutter and might still be able to hold their own. But a fifth-placed finish in the Super 12 at the 2021 T20 World Cup is perhaps the fate that awaits them.
#4 Afghanistan
Over the past few years, Afghanistan have been the team that has had to come through the rubble of qualifying for the T20 World Cup. This time, they’ve been enjoying the extra time away from the game and have been relishing their direct ticket into the Super 12 phase. Now, though, things get a little complicated.
Afghanistan have an excellent bowling attack at the T20 World Cup
On the bowling front, Afghanistan have the resources to trouble any team on the planet, especially on pitches that are expected to be slow and to be conducive to spin-bowling. Even if that wasn’t the case, the likes of Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Rashid Khan are capable of causing opposition batters problems.
The issue for Afghanistan, as it has historically been, will be their batting strength. At the 2021 T20 World Cup, they seem better equipped, considering Hazratullah Zazai has found his feet and Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks a promising talent. They even plundered the West Indies recently, with Zazai and Mohammad Shahzad playing starring roles.
However, their inability to keep producing such performances against top-quality bowling attacks such as India, New Zealand and Pakistan could be what pulls them down.
As far as match-ups are concerned, Afghanistan might fancy their chances against the Black Caps, owing to the latter’s shortcomings against spin. Yet, that is probably the ceiling they will have to be content with at this year’s T20 World Cup.
#3 New Zealand
New Zealand have, historically, been labeled a side that has exceeded expectations, whether it be the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup or the 2019 edition. Now, though, with an ICC World Test Championship crown in their kitty, they are the cream of the crop – the team that is expected to be contesting the knock-out stages of any ICC event.
From that perspective, the Kiwis seem well-stocked for the T20 World Cup. Martin Guptill seems to be hitting the ball as nicely as he has done recently, whereas Kane Williamson’s class can never be doubted. Devon Conway has also taken to international cricket like a duck to water, while batters of the ilk of Glenn Philipps and James Neesham can provide the lower-order thrust the Black Caps crave.
Bowling wise, the presence of Kyle Jamieson, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee and Trent Boult should hold them in good stead. Their spinners, namely Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner aren’t too shabby either.
The quandary, however, would revolve around how the Kiwis can adapt to their surroundings, considering their line-up isn’t necessarily suited to the conditions that the UAE will offer during the T20 World Cup.
With the willow, most of their batters, barring Williamson, seem a touch susceptible against spin – an aspect that was highlighted during New Zealand’s stunning collapse against England in the warm-up fixture at Abu Dhabi.
Even the skipper, despite his batting prowess, doesn’t have a great recent record in the middle overs – something that came to the fore in the IPL as well. Neesham and Phillips, meanwhile, also enjoy the ball coming on to the bat, meaning that run-scoring post the Power Play at the T20 World Cup could be tedious.
With the ball, the Kiwis might struggle at the death throughout the T20 World Cup. Ferguson has a tendency to leak runs. Trent Boult isn’t as good towards the end as he is at the start. Jamieson and Southee, too, seem to prefer bowling with the new ball – something that can be exploited by opposition teams.
Thus, New Zealand, despite seeming strong on paper, might just huff and puff against spin-heavy teams. And, with India and Pakistan in the mix, that fear might become a reality at the T20 World Cup.
Again, one can never count the Black Caps out of any contest. Yet, this time, a T20 World Cup semi-final might just be a bridge too far.
#2 Pakistan
Since the start of 2021, Pakistan have resembled a team in turmoil. They’ve seen other countries cancel tours to the nation and have also undergone wholesale changes at the boardroom level. They have also had to hire new coaches for the T20 World Cup.
Also Read: Pakistan are in limbo - this has to be their year then, right?
Yet, because this is Pakistan, this could perhaps be where the dreariness of 2021 ends and gives rise to a glorious conclusion. After all, the Men In Green somehow seem to put their best foot forward when everyone has written them off.
Apart from that poetic inclination, Pakistan also have the players capable of performing in the UAE. Babar Azam has been brilliant over the past few months and has forged a terrific partnership with Mohammad Rizwan at the top of the order. Moreover, with most teams targeting the Power Play, Pakistan, courtesy of Babar and Rizwan, might have an edge in that department.
The middle order still seems a bit of a concern, especially with Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik not setting the world alight. Asif Ali has also not been able to translate his domestic success onto the international stage. However, Fakhar Zaman – a batter who was initially omitted but has now been drafted in, seems intent on proving a point.
On the bowling front, Pakistan have the variety and the raw pace they’ve almost always been synonymous with. Shaheen Shah Afridi can be a match-winner against most teams, with Haris Rauf and Hassan Ali having the ability to act as perfect foils.
Imad Wasim might also enjoy himself on the tacky surfaces in the UAE. And, while there is a bit of a cloud over Shadab Khan’s form, the leg-spinner has previously shown that he has the pedigree and of course, the experience to tide over it.
Thus, for the first time in a while, it seems that Pakistan have most bases covered heading into a T20 World Cup. Remember, the last time they made the semi-finals was way back in 2010.
Prior to that, it seemed that Pakistan were the nation to cracked the T20 World Cup code. Now, nearly 11 years later, they have a chance to prove that they’ve not forgotten what worked a charm in the 2000s.
And, considering everything that has unfolded with respect to Pakistan cricket in 2021, that might just come to fruition at the T20 World Cup.
#1 India
India have been dubbed as favourites to win the T20 World Cup and rightly so. On paper, the Men In Blue seem to have two options for every possible slot and seem equipped to handle whatever opponents might have to throw at them.
At the top of the order, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma form one of the most belligerent pairs on the planet. With Rahul also adopting a carefree approach at the T20 World Cup, that particular partnership could assume worrying proportions for other teams.
Can Virat Kohli turn things around at the T20 World Cup?
Virat Kohli, despite not being among the runs, has a spectacular record in T20 World Cup cricket, meaning that India will bank on him to come up trumps at some stage in the UAE. Similarly, the experience of MS Dhoni, who has joined up as a mentor, would be invaluable, considering the calmness he exudes.
Lower down the order, Ravindra Jadeja has morphed into one of the best white-ball finishers in the world. Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav also seem to have stumbled upon the right formula for T20 cricket and that, coupled with Ishan Kishan’s proclivity to set pulses racing, makes India an exhilarating batting unit.
The only concern could be around Hardik Pandya’s form. Not only has the all-rounder not bowled since India’s tour to Sri Lanka, he has also looked a tad scratchy with the willow. However, with Shardul Thakur in the mix for the T20 World Cup, India seem to have a ready-made replacement – if they decide to omit Pandya.
Apart from that, India have the best bowling attack in the competition. Jasprit Bumrah provides pace and tactical expertise while Mohammed Shami has retained his uncanny knack of picking wickets. Bhuvneshwar Kumar also seems to be getting into his groove, with Jadeja equally capable of keeping a lid on the run-scoring.
The biggest X-Factor, though, could be Varun Chakravarthy – a mystery spinner who batters haven’t been able to decrypt. So far, India have used him sparingly but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he rocks up and single-handedly tilts the T20 World Cup in the Men In Blue’s favour.
Hence, India, despite not having played a game, seem the team to beat at this year’s T20 World Cup. Over the past few years, that has been the case countless times, only for India to wilt under pressure in the knock-out stages.
As far as the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup is concerned, the Men In Blue shouldn’t have too many problems breezing through it.
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