Key player for each team at World T20

When the ICC World T20 commences on Tuesday, March 15, every team will be looking to stake a claim at the title of being the World T20 Champions. With Bangladesh and Afghanistan making it to the tournament proper from the qualifying stage, ten teams divided into two groups of five each will be vying to finish in the top two of their respective groups.Despite cricket being a team sport, there are occasions when a certain player takes the game away from the opposition single-handedly and gives his side a definitive advantage to secure a victory. The T20 format being the shortest one, does, at times, need some bit of individual brilliance to give one of the teams the upper hand.Here we take a look at one key player from each of the ten sides contesting the ICC World T20 2016:

#1 Afghanistan - Mohammad Nabi

After a disappointing outing the in the Asia Cup T20 Qualifiers, the Afghans came back stronger and well prepared for the ICC World T20 Qualifiers. Having qualified for the ICC World Cup 2015, the experience they gained there would have come in handy when taking on other Associate Nations like Zimbabwe, Scotland and Hong Kong.

One of the main reasons for Afghanistan's success in the qualifiers, in addition to their collective team effort, was the performance of their experienced all-rounder, Mohammad Nabi. Having played in T20 leagues like the Pakistan Super League, Nabi's skills were always going to be crucial.

The 31-year-old performed well with both bat and ball during the three qualifying matches to help his side finish top of the group. Nabi scored 70 runs in 3 matches at an average of 23.33 and a strike rate of 159.09, with a high scored of 52 in the must-win match against Zimbabwe. With the ball, Nabi was the joint highest wicket-taker with 6 wickets from 3 games at an average of 10.66 and an economy rate of 5.54.

Nabi will have to make full use of his know-how in the World T20 if Afghanistan are to cause any upsets in the Super 10s Group 1 with other teams like England, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies in the group.

#2 Australia - David Warner

The Australians despite finding much success in the Test and ODI formats, have found it quite difficult in the shortest format of the game. The best that the Aussies have done in the World T20 is reach the final of the 2010 ICC World T20 and finish runners-up to England.

Australia will be looking to go all the way and lift their maiden World T20 title in India. However, most of the batsmen in the Australian line-up have had issues playing on the slower tracks of India. With the absence of key bowler, Mitchell Starc, Australia is weakened in the bowling department, which means the onus is on the batsmen to perform well.

David Warner, the Australian vice-captain, is one of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket, across all formats. With his experience playing in the Indian Premier League, Warner will definitely be the main player for Australia. His T20I batting average just under 30 and a strike rate of 140.77 give a clear indication of his batting threat.

In the 2015 IPL season, Warner scored 562 runs in 14 matches for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. His batting average was 43.23 and his strike rate was 156.54, and he scored 7 fifties. The 29-year-old will be looking to go on a similar run, no matter what position he bats at, in order to help his side win the tournament.

#3 Bangladesh - Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan is undoubtedly one of the most complete all-rounders in world cricket right now, with most of the all-rounders being stronger in either batting or bowling. Shakib, on the other hand, is as good a bowler as he is a batsman.

With the Bangladesh batting lineup getting better with each match, there is clearly less burden on Shakib in the batting department. Players like Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman and Mahmudullah are all talented players who can turn out to be match-winners for Bangladesh.

However, in the bowling department, with Bangladesh's strike bowler, Mustafizur Rahman's fitness unclear the remaining bowlers will have to share the responsibility. Shakib had a very good outing with the ball during the World T20 Qualifiers as he picked up 6 wickets in 3 games at an average of 7.33 and an economy rate of 6.28.

Although he did not contribute much with the bat, Shakib's experience gained while playing in the IPL will hold Bangladesh in good stead and will be a vital factor if The Tigers can make it from the Super 10 stage.

#4 England - Alex Hales

Although England started their limited-overs series well against the Proteas, they ended up losing the last three ODIs and the two T20Is following the ODI series. But, the one silver lining from the tour, especially the ODIs, was the form of opening batsman Alex Hales.

Hales made and broke records during his purple patch in the 50-over format in South Africa as he scored four fifties and one hundred in the five-match series.

The 27-year-old has scored 3804 runs in the T20 format in 138 matches at an average of 29.26 and a strike rate of 138.73. In the international format, Hales’ average is better at just under 34, having scored 1154 runs at a strike rate of 135.12 in 39 innings.

Hales will be hoping to carry on his good run of form with the bat in India and help set a good foundation for the England batting line-up.

#5 India - Virat Kohli

Hosts, India are the clear favourites for the World T20 and seem like the most settled squad of all teams participating in the tournament. With a balanced batting and bowling line-up, it looks like India should be able to overcome all the challenges that come their way.

The Indian top-order has been firing on all cylinders in 2016, with Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli all scoring runs for fun wherever India played. The bowling line-up, boosted by Jasprit Bumrah and Ashish Nehra, is a threat for any batting line-up in the Indian conditions.

But, the most key player for the 2007 World T20 champions has to be the Indian vice-captain, Virat Kohli. The 27-year-old has had a magical start to the year, scoring 352 runs in 7 T20I innings at a phenomenal average of 117.33 and a strike rate of 134.35.

Kohli's T20I average of 52.61 is at least 10 more than any other player who has scored more than 1000 T20I runs giving a clear indication of his batting prowess in a format where anything above 30 is good. In 11 T20I matches, Kohli has an average of 72.00 that will aid India's efforts to put up good scores on board.

If India can go all the way and be crowned the champions, it will no doubt be a team effort from the men in blue, however, the most valuable player for the home side will be the vice-captain.

#6 New Zealand - Trent Boult

With the departure of their inspirational captain, Brendon McCullum, New Zealand will definitely be a weakened side on the batting front, considering his experience playing in the IPL. Current captain, Kane Williamson did not feature much for the Sunrisers Hyderabad and his lack of experience playing T20s in India might be a negative factor for the Kiwis.

On the bowling front, Trent Boult had a decent run in the 2015 IPL, following a good showing in the World Cup. In 7 IPL games for the Sunrisers, Boult had picked up 9 wickets at an average of 26.22.

Although these are not highly impressive stats, the 26-year-old's experience in the last year's world tournament will be a defining factor for the Kiwis as their batting needs to prove themselves on Indian tracks.

#7 Pakistan - Mohammad Amir

Since his return to international cricket, Mohammad Amir has been immensely influential for Pakistan coming up with brilliant spells of bowling. Amir was one of the best bowlers in the Asia Cup where he picked up 7 wickets in 4 matches at an impressive average of 11.57 and an economy rate of just over 5.

The 23-year-old has received praise from all quarters, following his bowling performances since his comeback. The youngster will want to continue his remarkable form with the ball and help his side reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

Since Pakistan's batting line-up is something that has not yet been settled, it will fall upon the shoulders of the bowling unit to put in match-winning performances. Amir with his pinpoint line and length will be a threat early on for the opposition batsmen.

#8 South Africa - AB de Villiers

After India, South Africa is, arguably, the most settled squad in the World T20. South Africa's top-order is one of the best with batsmen such as Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis. The Proteas also have a bowling line-up that includes youth and experience which will give them a very good chance to get their hands on the trophy.

It should be no surprise who the key player for the Proteas will be. De Villiers, Mr. 360, is one of the most complete batsmen in world cricket right now, with his ability to pace his innings to perfection. Although his T20I record is not as good as his record in other formats, he has a good record in World T20s.

In 25 World T20 matches, AB has scored 607 runs at an average of 28.90 and a strike rate of 138.26. The 32-year-old's record for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL is something that will greatly assist his confidence going into the tournament. He has scored 1930 runs in 68 innings at an average of 38.60 and a strike rate of 157.29.

With AB most likely to open along with de Kock, fans can expect to witness fireworks right from the start of the innings.

#9 Sri Lanka - Dinesh Chandimal

Sri Lanka were dealt a blow ahead of the World T20 when Lasith Malinga stepped down from captaincy. Malinga has been one of the best bowlers in T20 cricket with his slinging deliveries always a threat for the batsmen. With his appearance still a doubt, the key player for Sri Lanka has to be the versatile Dinesh Chandimal.

Chandimal, who was the captain for the previous World T20, stepped down from captaincy for the final, something that aided his team to go on to lift their first World T20. Since then, the 26-year-old has been growing in leaps and bounds for his side across all formats.

In 9 innings that Chandimal has played in 2016, he has scored 232 runs at an average of 25.77. Although this seems like a below par number, considering the performance of Sri Lanka of late, it does show that Chandimal has been the lone fighter for The Islanders.

#10 West Indies - Chris Gayle

For the tenth and last team of the World T20, it has to be the T20 legend, Chris Gayle. Gayle is clearly the best T20 player, having scored more than 8000 runs in the shortest format of the game. 1406 runs of those were scored in T20Is at an average of 35.15 and a strike rate of 142.59. The 36-year-old has scored one century and 13 half-centuries in 43 T20Is.

Although Gayle has played as many as 87 games in India in the IPL, he has not played a single T20I game in India. His vast experience in the IPL will undoubtedly come in handy for the Caribbeans in their quest to win their second World T20 title.

Gayle has scored 3456 runs in India at an average of 46.08 and a strike rate of 155.04. This phenomenal record in India will make Gayle as the biggest threat for any of the oppositions.