5 cricketers to watch out for at the World T20 qualifiers

The T20 World Cup is here and everyone will be looking forward to some great matches between the best cricketing nations. There are megastars in the game on whom there will be a lot of expectations to perform in the tournament and also there will be few names who will etch their name in the history of the game. But before the main round of the tournament begins, there is a qualifying round between eight nations.A lot of pressure will be on the players from these teams because only two from these eight will qualify for the main round. There are some players though from these teams who are capable of handling this pressure, let us have a look at five cricketers to watch out for at the World T20 qualifiers.

#5 Sabbir Rahman - Bangladesh

Sabbir Rahman will be a key part of Bangladesh team

Sabbir Rahman is one of the promising young talents in the ever increasing cupboard of talented Bangladeshi batsmen. His exploits in the recently concluded Asia Cup have shot him into the limelight and he will be surely one of the players to look out for in the upcoming qualifying stage of the T20 World Cup.

His innings against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup was testimony to the talent he possesses. His shots were as clean as a whistle and his innings ensured that Bangladesh clinched their first T20 win against the islanders.

Conditions in India are not much different to the ones in Bangladesh and his team will have their hopes set high on Rahman to come good in the tournament. If he keeps on batting at the number three slot then there are chances that we could see another batting masterclass from him in the World Cup qualifying round.

#4 Roelof van der Merwe - Netherlands

Can Van der Merwe inspire the Dutch team

Hearing van der Merwe’s name in the players to look out for in the T20 World Cup qualifiers might surprise a few fans as it was quite a breezy switch made by van der Merwe from South Africa to Netherlands and that too only last year.

An attacking batsman and a decent left arm spinner, van der Merwe will be a key player for the Netherlands. His bowling is tough to hit against as he is quite immaculate with his line and length and his batting can be match winning as he scores at an extremely brisk rate.

Van der Merwe is one of the senior members of the Dutch setup and it will be up to him to ensure that he sets the standard high with both bat and ball for the youngsters and collectively they ensure that the Dutch qualify for the main round.

#3 Mohammad Nabi - Afghanistan

Mohammad Nabi remains Afghanistan’s main pillar

Mohammad Nabi has been one of the main pillars of Afghanistan cricket since their entry into the international arena. A phlegmatic personality on the field, he is a capable player with both bat and ball.

In a side packed with flamboyant players, Nabi brings in the much-needed calmness. He is one player who can stabilise the side if early wickets fall and he is equally capable of taking advantage of a good start from the top order.

Not only his batting but his bowling is also a strength. His off-breaks are quite a tough challenge for the opposition and he will be looking forward to showcase his skills in spin-friendly conditions.

What Nabi also brings to the table is his calm approach to the game which will be crucial for his side in the World Cup. He is surely an important cog in the Afghanistan team and will hope to do well with the side.

#2 Sean Williams - Zimbabwe

Sean Williams will be a player to watch out for in the qualifying round

Sean Williams is the backbone of the Zimbabwean team after the exit of Brendan Taylor. He is a quality player capable with both the bat and ball. An attacking left-arm batsman, he is also a good left-arm orthodox spin bowler.

Zimbabwe will be looking forward to Williams for shouldering the responsibility of their middle order. His composure combined with the flamboyance needed for the T20s is a great combination for his team. His experience will also hold the key for Zimbabwe in the absence of many experienced players from the side.

Not only his batting but his left arm spin bowling will also be a great asset for Zimbabwe in the spin-friendly Indian conditions. If he can chip with some useful wickets, it will be a great advantage for the Africans. What Zimbabwe will hope is that Williams remains in great form in the qualifying round and plays a pivotal role in taking his team to the main round.

#1 Mustafizur Rahman - Bangladesh

Mustafizur will be a key player for Bangladesh in the qualifying round

Mustafizur Rahman has been one of the biggest finds of 2015. A lanky left-arm seamer, he is a box full of tricks. Cutters, yorkers and seam-up deliveries, he has got all sorts of variations to flummox the batsman.

On pitches that will support his kind of bowling (which has its main weapon as cutters), he will be a handful to handle for the opposition. Not many opposition batsmen from the associate nations would have played him and his variations will be tough to handle for players who will face him for the first time.

Mustafizur has also been in good form off late and his exploits in the recently concluded Asia Cup will instill confidence in his team and fear in the opposition. It won’t be a surprise if he ends up as the highest wicket-taker in the qualifying tournament by befuddling the batsmen in the opposition.