Well...
T20 World Cup set to begin on October 17 in UAE; final on November 14
ESPNcricinfo understands that the tournament will start days after the IPL final, likely to be held on October 15
www.espncricinfo.com
Yeah, just like in the last Asia CupSo Pakistan Instant Favorites?
You do know we had a terrible batting line-up in T20s. Nothing to do with our skills but the approach. Australia massacred us at home in 2019. We hardly beat South Africa at home the same year. West Indies is the only side that we have dominated and that too when few of their players were rested.India
Aren't we done with the Qualifiers already in 2019?Oman is going to host the qualifiers for the associate nations.
4 teamsOman to host the qualifiers! Any idea how many teams go through to the main draw?
If 2 teams are to go through, pretty sure that Sri Lanka won't make it.
India are ranked #2 and they beat both Australia and England (at full strength) in the last seven months. Which is probably more relevant than a two-match series in 2019 that featured players who are nowhere near the current side. They've got the third highest runs per over and by far and away the best W/L ratio in the last two years (against the eight test teams that are already qualified for the main stage).You do know we had a terrible batting line-up in T20s. Nothing to do with our skills but the approach. Australia massacred us at home in 2019. We hardly beat South Africa at home the same year. West Indies is the only side that we have dominated and that too when few of their players were rested.
I won't be surprised if India makes it to the knock outs and make a sub-par 150-odd and get eliminated.
Australia, I believe was the strongest side pre-Covid. West Indies have got a good batting line-up and a decent bowling line-up. New Zealand and quick in accessing the conditions are get used to them in white ball Cricket. England are a well rounded side. In my view, India and South Africa are evenly matched sides. Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan would fight out amongst themselves. Who knows Sri Lanka might not even make it to the Super 12. But yes, Pakistan's unpredictability should be kept in mind.
I would say this edition of WT20 would be a highly competitive one.
*qualifying stage of the tournamentAren't we done with the Qualifiers already in 2019?
I would say that yes we are consistent. Yes we have a bench strength which is quality wise the best crop in World Cricket. But where we are lacking is the management. You could probably say that India is one of those sides whose resources are terribly managed. The lack of surety regarding the spots of a certain players have always hurt them in tournaments like these.India are ranked #2 and they beat both Australia and England (at full strength) in the last seven months. Which is probably more relevant than a two-match series in 2019 that featured players who are nowhere near the current side. They've got the third highest runs per over and by far and away the best W/L ratio in the last two years (against the eight test teams that are already qualified for the main stage).
I personally think, unlike England and the West Indies, India probably has the most balanced line-up. Their best players are playing in their regular positions. England has about five openers in the top six and West Indies have about 4 number 5/6. They can easily implode, as they've done twice recently a match after dominating a team. If they string together some good performances they'll be dangerous but they are just as likely to underperform.
India will also probably be at an advantage of playing in the UAE for a month beforehand. It's not to say they'll win the tournament, T20 is very open, but to say they're about as good as South Africa is very generous to South Africa.
Meanwhile I'm sitting here waiting for Ireland vs Afghanistan finalYou guys can laugh at it all you want, but you know it's coming
I'll subscribe to that timelineMeanwhile I'm sitting here waiting for Ireland vs Afghanistan final