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Although most teams announced their squads for the World T20 a while back, there have been so many changes due to injuries and poor form that it has taken until now for them to finalize their 15-man squad for the World T20 in India.As hosts and holders of an impressive seven-game T20I winning streak, India will be firm favorites to become the first team to lift the World T20 twice. While the likes of South Africa and West Indies, courtesy of having plenty of players with IPL experience, will also be there or thereabouts, it looks the tournament has what it takes to entertain and enthrall us for the next few weeks.With the squads for the ICC World T20 2016 having been finalized, let us rate them on the basis of how good they look, at least on paper.
#8 Sri Lanka - 6/10
SQUAD FOR WORLD T20 2016
Angelo Mathews (C), Lasith Malinga, Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Suranga Lakmal, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milinda Siriwardana, Dasun Shanaka, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dushmantha Chameera, Thisara Perera, Sachithra Senanayake, Rangana Herath, Lahiru Thirimanne
Team Intro: Sri Lanka might have beaten India at Pune in their first T20I, but that has been aberration in 2016 as they have suffered humiliating losses in New Zealand and in the Asia Cup. Their team doesn’t look settled, apart from Dinesh Chandimal, no batsman seems to be in form and their biggest weapon, Lasith Malinga has not only stepped down from captaincy but is also doubtful for the World T20.
STRENGTHS
Lasith Malinga: If fit, there can be no doubts that Malinga is the best T20 bowler in the world. Given he is just one shy of 300 T20 wickets and is closing in on 100 T20I wickets, Sri Lankan supporters will be hoping he shrugs off any injury and is back to his toe-crushing best.
Plenty of spin options: With the World T20 taking place in India, every team needs a good spinner and Sri Lanka not only have good spinners but also has all kinds of spinners. Off-spinner, leg-spinner, mystery spinner, left-arm spinner, right-arm spinner, you name it, they have it.
WEAKNESSES
No clear roles for the batsmen: Throughout the series against India and in the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka seemed unsure of where to batsman certain players and what their roles were going to be. Their best batsman, Angelo Mathews bats too deep and the openers aren't in form while the rest of the batting order is inexperienced barring Mathews, Dilshan and Chandimal.
Over-reliant on Malinga: When you have one of the best T20 bowlers in the world it is hard not to rely on him but such is the makeup of Sri Lanka's squad that a fit and firing Malinga is almost imperative if they are to do well, against any side.
FINAL VERDICT
With a docile batting line-up and a bowling attack that is not going to put fear into the minds of the opponents, Sri Lanka's chances of going far in the competition look slim.
#7 Pakistan - 6.5/10
SQUAD FOR WORLD T20 2016
Shahid Afridi (C), Mohammed Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed (WK), Khalid Latif, Ahmed Shehzad, Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Sami
Team Intro: Since announcing the World T20 squad, no team has made more changes than Pakistan to their 15-man squad. Despite making a slew of changes, including adding new batsmen and bowlers, Pakistan are no closer to settling on an XI that can win them any game. While they have a potent pace attack and spinners that can cause batsmen trouble their fragile batting leaves them with little hope of claiming a convincing victory. Still, their dark horse tag isn't for nothing and they can surprise anyone on their day.
STRENGTHS
Potent pace attack: Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Irfan, four bowlers who can not only consistently bowl at over 140 kmph and touch 150 kmph frequently but also bowlers who offer different dimensions to the attack. They have the best pace attack in the tournament.
Mercurial all-rounders: Shoaib Malik and Shahid Afridi aren't exactly world-class all-rounders but are players, who on their day can take the game away from the opposition with both bat and ball. They also have Umar Akmal, who is in sublime form with the bat and an excellent fielder as well.
WEAKNESSES
Fragile top order: Mohammad Hafeez may be Pakistan's second-leading run-scorer in T20Is but he is anything but consistent. That and the fact that they are yet to settle on an opening partnership is something that will certainly worry them before the start of the tournament.
FINAL VERDICT
They have the bowling attack to dismiss any team but it remains to be seen if their batting lives up to potential. If it does, then they are dark horses for the title.
#6 England - 7/10
SQUAD FOR WORLD T20 2016
Eoin Morgan (C), Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (WK), Moeen Ali, David Willey, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, James Vince, Liam Plunkett, Sam Billings, Liam Dawson
Team Intro: Ever since Trevor Bayliss took over as coach of England, their fortunes in the limited-overs formats, have been completely transformed. They are no longer five steps behind the world. In fact, they have some of the most innovative stroke players and biggest hitters in the tournament. They have an offie and a leggie and pace bowlers who all know what their jobs are. While short of experience, the current England squad are arguably the most exciting to have ever taken to the field.
STRENGTHS
New-found belief in their ability: Unlike previous England sides, the current one only seems interested in hitting the ball out of the park and taking wickets at every opportunity. That is the kind of self-belief you need to succeed at the highest level and England seem to have that at the moment.
Strong middle-order: With Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler occupying the positions from No.3 to No.6, England have a middle-order that can pretty much do everything. Whether clear the boundary through sheer power or through delicate shots or by innovative strokeplay.
WEAKNESSES
Unproven bowling line-up: While they have two left-arm seamers who bring different things to the table, a leggie and an off-spinner, a specialist death bowler and an enforcer, none of them have played in the IPL and they haven't played together or separately for long enough to have been tested in all conditions.
Inexperienced in Indian conditions: Apart from captain Eoin Morgan, none of the current England side have played in the IPL and that is something that will certainly count against them when you look at sides that want to go deep into the tournament.
FINAL VERDICT
If they can overcome their lack of experience in Indian conditions, England have the potential to create an upset or two, especially if their bowling stays in one piece.
#5 New Zealand - 7.5/10
SQUAD FOR WORLD T20 2016
Kane Williamson (C), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi (WK), Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor
Team Intro: Despite the retirement of Brendon McCullum, New Zealand still possess an incredible brutal top-order that can decimate any attack. With a couple of wily spinners in their ranks and death bowlers who can nail their yorkers, they seem to have chanced upon the perfect squad for T20Is. While there are plenty of surprises as far as their selection is concerned, they are a solid outfit, albeit one that isn't well-versed in Indian conditions.
STRENGTHS
Top order: Marin Guptill has been in some form in 2016 and in Kane Williamson and Colin Munro, they have a top three that are not only in good form but have shown they can take the game away from opponents in a flash.
Potent pace attack: Tim Southee and Trent Boult have led the Kiwi pace attack with great distinction across all formats. For the World T20, although they don't have Matt Henry, who has been in scintillating form, they still have Mitchell McClenaghan and Adam Milne, two bowlers who can strike fear in the minds of the batsmen with bounce and pace.
WEAKNESSES
Lack of experience in Indian conditions: Martin Guptill went unsold in the IPL Auction 2016, Colin Munro has never played in the IPL, Kane Williamson isn't a regular for Sunrisers Hyderabad. While the Kiwi top three looks impressive, they don't have a lot of experience in India and while Corey Anderson and Ross Taylor do, the latter isn't a certainty in the line-up to begin with.
FINAL VERDICT
The only thing stopping New Zealand from claiming their first piece of ICC silverware is unfamiliarity of conditions. If they can overcome that, then they will be difficult to handle.
#4 West Indies - 7.5/10
SQUAD FOR WORLD T20 2016
Darren Sammy (C), Samuel Badree, Sulieman Benn, Dwayne Bravo, Carlos Brathwaite, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Johnson Charles, Evin Lewis, Denesh Ramdin (WK), Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Ashley Nurse, Jerome Taylor
Team Intro: The injury to Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine declaring himself unfit, Andre Russell being questioned and injury to Lendl Simmons. Since announcing their World T20 squad, so many of their stars no longer make the flight to India. While they may have lost to India in the warm-up, with Chris Gayle opening the batting and a couple of world-class all-rounders in Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell, Windies have the fire power to hurt any team on their day.
STRENGTHS
Chris Gayle: When he is not announcing that he has a new book coming out, Chris Gayle is busy swatting the ball like a fly and make bowlers feel like cannon fodder. Few batsmen put the fear of god into the bowlers' minds as Gayle and if he fires, whether batting first or second, nothing is beyond the Windies' reach.
World-class all-rounders: If you are looking for all-rounders who can wield the long handle as well as bowl well, crucially at the death, you will find it hard to find two better than Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo. So it is no surprise that the pair will be crucial to their chances of claiming their second World T20 title.
WEAKNESSES
Lack of penetrative bowlers: While Dwayne Bravo and Samuel Badree are two of the best T20 bowlers, West Indies lack a great new ball bowler who can give them wickets. Most of their pace attack isn't exactly perfect for T20s and they have to rely primarily on all-rounders to do the job.
FINAL VERDICT
If their big-hitters fire, they can beat anyone on their day. So they will look to reach at least the semi-finals with the fire power they have.
#3 Australia - 8/10
SQUAD FOR WORLD T20 2016
Steve Smith (C), David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill (WK), James Faulkner, Josh Hazlewood, John Hastings, Adam Zampa, Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Usman Khawaja
Team Intro: If there was one thing that the T20I series against South Africa showed it was that despite their harrowing whitewash against India on home soil, the Australian side still have enough firepower to take down most teams and claim their first World T20 title. To help them achieve that, they have four proven openers, one of whom has been shunted to the middle-order to provide balance and several world-class all-rounders, some of whom have done magnificently in the IPL.
STRENGTHS
Plenty of big-hitters: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner are just some of the big-hitters that Australia have in their ranks as they look to claim their maiden World T20 crown. The fact that they are evenly spread out throughout the side is an added bonus.
World-class all-rounders: Shane Watson and James Faulkner have arguably been two of the finest all-rounders to have played in the IPL. Not only do Australia have both of them, they also have Glenn Maxwell, who can chip in with an over or two if needed as well.
WEAKNESSES
Inability to play spin: While it is true that the World T20 won't be played on dust bowls, Australia have shown time and again that they aren't comfortable when it comes to handling world-class spinners. And that is something that might come back to bite them.
Weak bowling attack: The thing about the Australian bowling line-up is that while it is impressive on conditions that offering something for the bowlers, on flat decks or surfaces that offer turn, they don't seem to have the ammunition to bowl teams out.
FINAL VERDICT
As long as their big guns click and they don't fall into their familiar spin trap, Australia stand a good chance of claiming their maiden World T20 title.
#2 South Africa - 8.5/10
SQUAD FOR WORLD T20 2016
Faf du Plessis (C), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (WK), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Chris Morris, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, David Wiese.
Team Intro: The World T20 in 2016 will see plenty of impressive top-orders come out and play. Arguably the finest of the lot belongs to South Africa, who will have AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock as their top three in one way or another. They are packed with big hitters right down to No.9 and have quality fast bowlers and a leg spinner who has mastered the art of picking up wickets when his team needs him most.
STRENGTHS
Experience of conditions: When you have AB de Villiers, David Miller and JP Duminy, three players with plenty of IPL experience in your top six, you know the batting is strong. And that is not even mentioning Quinton de Kock, who seems to come alive every time he plays against India or in India and captain Faf du Plessis.
Big hitters galore: It is not just AB de Villiers or David Miller, but everyone down to Chris Morris and David Wiese can wield a long handle with great effect for the Proteas. And that is their biggest strength, their seemingly endless array of big-hitters in their batting line-up.
WEAKNESSES
Lack of bowling options: In Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada, South Africa have a brilliant new ball and death bowling pairing. In Imran Tahir, they have a wily leggie who will enjoy playing in conditions that are conducive to spin. But the big problem for the Proteas is the lack of bowling options beyond their five bowlers, should one of them get hit. JP Duminy hasn't looked the same bowler of late and none of their batsman bowl, so that is certainly a worry.
FINAL VERDICT
On paper, South Africa have one of the strongest squads in the tournament. All they need to do is ensure that their proclivity to choke doesn't hinder them as they look for their maiden piece of ICC silverware.
#1 India - 9/10
SQUAD FOR WORLD T20 2016
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (C & WK), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashish Nehra, Harbhajan Singh, Mohammed Shami, Pawan Negi, Ajinkya Rahane.
Team Intro: Ever since bringing back a few senior players for the T20 series against Australia, India have settled on an XI, which they have used for their last six T20Is. Both openers are in good touch, which gives their explosive middle-order the perfect platform to set up a big total. While bowling has traditionally been India's Achilles heel, with two in-form pace bowlers, who can bowl effectively at the top and at the death, in addition to their spin twins, India have a well-balanced
STRENGTHS
Top order: In Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina, India not only have four of the finest top order batsmen in the world but a settled top order, who are all in form. In home conditions, they have proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with.
World class spinners: He may not have been given opportunities throughout the series against Australia, but there is little doubt that Ravichandran Ashwin is arguably the finest spinner in the world right now. With Ravindra Jadeja and the likes of Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh to support him, India have plenty of quality spinning options.
Settled line-up: It is not often that T20Is witnesses a settled line-up, but the current Indian line-up is one such rare occurrence as all the players know their roles and they have someone to do each role.
WEAKNESSES
Lack of backup for the seamers: While Ashish Nehra and Jasprit Bumrah have been excellent in 2016, India don't have a like-for-like replacement should something happen to either of them. Mohammed Shami is only just coming back from injury and is the only back-up, so at least, one more fast bowler could have been the ideal remedy.
FINAL VERDICT
With conditions on their side and a settled group of players who know their roles, India claim their second World T20 title.
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