Story ICC World Twenty20 2018 (What if?)

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Shaheen, 18

Farhan, 22

ain't no way there's only 4 years age difference between them, i thought it'd be double that

 

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Ireland announce squad for World T20; Mulder recalled, 19 year old Little included​

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Jacob Mulder last played for Ireland a year ago against Afghanistan at Greater Noida​

Cricket Ireland announces their 15-man team with 2 reserves for the 2018 World T20, lead by current short-format captain Gary Wilson who took over this June.​

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The squad sees a recall for legspinner Jacob Mulder, who last played a T20I against Afghanistan in early 2017. He will join George Dockrell & Simi Singh to round up the Irish spin attack for the tournament, offering an extra option.​

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19 year old Joshua Little too makes the cut, at the expense of the experienced Craig Young & Tyrone Kane who will travel as reserves. Little, who debuted at the age of 16 back in 2016, played the U-19 World Cup this year and is viewed as a tall fast-bowling prospect for the future. He will accompany the seniors Boyd Rankin, Peter Chase, Barry McCarthy & Stuart Thompson in a strong pace bowling unit for South Africa.​

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Veterans Kevin O'Brien & William Porterfield will also assist Gary Wilson in the senior front, and also as key cogs in the batting unit. They are joined by Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie, Stuart Poynter and the returning James Shannon. Poynter will also serve as the backup glovesman in the squad to skipper Wilson.​

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Ireland Cricket CEO says "The selectors have done their work in picking a proper squad for the tournament in South Africa later in the year. Although we'll see some changes from the one that played the qualifiers earlier, they are for the best in the current scenario. Little was promising in the U-19 World Cup and will definitely gain a lot from the experience and sharing the dressing room with some really good cricketers. The call to select Mulder came with the quest for team balance; it's crucial to pack enough variety in the attack, both pace and spin in any big tournament. It is quite unfortunate for some talented players who have thus missed the cut. Gary has done well since he has taken over the leadership and we are confident of him being the man to do the job for us. The mix of experience with stalwarts of Irish Cricket like KOB, Porterfield, Rankin and Wilson along with youth and promise is ideal and key to our squad and success"​

Spoiler: World T20 Squad

Ireland Squad: Gary Wilson (c), Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Chase, George Dockrell, Joshua Little, Barry McCarthy, Jacob Mulder, Kevin O'Brien, William Porterfield, Stuart Poynter, Boyd Rankin, James Shannon, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson
Travelling Reserves: Craig Young, Tyrone Kane

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Ireland kick off their campaign in the preliminary round, against Scotland on the 14th of August​

 

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NZC announce Black Caps WT20 Squad, Anderson & Milne return​

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Corey Anderson last played a T20I for New Zealand in February 2017​

New Zealand Cricket has announced their men's 15-man squad for the ICC World T20 this year. Lead by Kane Williamson, the squad sees the recall of all-rounder Corey Anderson and the inclusion of paceman Adam Milne, who have not featured in a T20I since last year.​

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ex Hong Kong International Mark Chapman has also been named after debuting for the Black Caps earlier this year. Having represented Hong Kong in the previous edition in 2016 as well as 2014, this will be the second team he will play for in the World T20.​

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Fast Bowler Seth Rance has been included in the main squad. Rance, with 4 over T20Is to his name played over the 2017-18 summer, will accompany veterans Trent Boult & Tim Southee along with the returning Adam Milne in the pace attack. Lockie Ferguson, who played a solitary T20I for the Black Caps, has also been named as a travelling reserve.​

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The Black Caps will be without senior glovesman Luke Ronchi from their 2016 squad, with Tim Seifert & Glenn Phillips selected as the wicket keeping options in the squad. Colin de Grandhomme will also make his World T20 debut, fulfilling the all-rounder void left by Grant Elliott, while Tom Bruce has been left out.​

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The duo of Santner & Sodhi have been retained as the spinners over the likes of Todd Astle, hoping to somewhat replicate their instrumental performances from the 2016 edition in a more pace-friendly environment.​

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NZC Selector Press - "The Black Caps squad has been selected based on the core that has been formed in the shortest format over the past few years. The squad-building began as soon as the 2016 edition ended, and with the retirements of Luke Ronchi, Grant Elliott and Nathan McCullum and the consequent debuts of some new talents, we have gathered a strong 15 man team that hopes to push one step further from last edition. Seth Rance has been picked after a good Super Smash and promising returns in the Windies & Pakistan series, while recalling Anderson and Milne are decisions done in the best interests of the team's experience and balance. The likes of Seifert, Phillips, Chapman and de Grandhomme have done well over the year to justify their spot, and the senior batters and bowlers will also quite obviously be very crucial. The team trusts Kane as the leader to do the job and hopefully bring our first World Title home"​

Spoiler: World T20 Squad

New Zealand Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips, Seth Rance, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor
Travelling Reserve: Lockie Ferguson

New Zealand kick off their World T20 campaign on the opening day of the Super 12 stage against Australia.​

 

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Malinga back, Mathews named captain as Sri Lanka announce World T20 Squad​

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Having lead the side in a disappointing 2016 World T20 campaign, Mathews has been in and out of the side since​

SLC (Sri Lankan Cricket Board) announce their World T20 squad, becoming the ninth team in the tournament to do so. Angelo Mathews returns, having last played in December 2017 and will also take over the captaincy role from Dinesh Chandimal, who led in the Nidahas Trophy earlier this year. ​

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Mathews will be the FOURTH captain for Sri Lanka in the last 12 months in this format- after Upul Tharanga, Thisara Perera & Chandimal himself. Mathews last lead the team in T20Is in January 2017 against South Africa, and having lead them in the previous edition of the World T20, has been chosen as the experienced man for the job. Ex captains Thisara, Tharanga and Chandimal have still retained their positions in the 15-man team, stressing on the level of instability and confusion within the think-tank. ​

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The squad also sees a recall for veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga who had also not featured in any T20Is this year off the back of injury-related problems that also saw him miss the IPL. He will spearhead the pace attack and add a boost of experience and skill to the much less seasoned bowling unit. The likes of Isuru Udana, Nuwan Pradeep & Dushmantha Chameera are to assist him, with Kasun Rajitha named as reserve, and no place for veteran Suranga Lakmal.​

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Mystery spinner Akila Dananjaya will be one to watch as he will be part of the spin unit alongside chinaman bowler Lakshan Sandakan. Kusal Perera & Kusal Mendis are wicket-keeping options along with Chandimal while also adding batting prowess; Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva & Danushka Gunathilaka have been picked for their dual ability as all-round players, while Jeevan Mendis misses the cut to the main 15.​

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SLC Selectors have said "We are happy to have players of Mathews & Malinga's seniority and caliber back in the squad for the big tournament; we have missed their services for the last few tours and the experience will heavily help our unit and our younger players. We are confident that Angelo is our man to go to for leading the side- Lasith as a pace bowler with workload being managed, we felt he was the best option. Of course, we have had a lot of them lead over the past few months- Dinesh, Thisara, Tharanga. No doubts on their capability but with his captaincy experience and knowledge of the game, Mathews will be our best bet in South Africa. Last time in 2016 was a bad tournament for us, but should be no reason to put down his worth. The squad is strong with a mix of experience and youth, and the regulars over the past few tours have been rewarded with selection for their performances. We have tried a lot of players over the last couple of years but we have arrived at a core, and we are happy with the squad.​

Spoiler: World T20 Squad

Sri Lanka Squad: Angelo Mathews (c), Dushmantha Chameera, Dinesh Chandimal, Akila Dananjaya, Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Lasith Malinga, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Pradeep, Lakshan Sandakan, Dasun Shanaka, Upul Tharanga, Isuru Udana
Travelling Reserves: Jeevan Mendis, Kasun Rajitha

Sri Lanka will kick their campaign off in the opening game of the WT20 against Hong Kong, playing in the qualifying round for the first time in the history of the tournament.​

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CSA in talks with de Villiers over World T20 comeback​

"Tired", AB. de Villiers retired from International Cricket in May this year​

South African fans might see their legend AB de Villiers back in South African colours for a home World T20 this year. According to reports, Cricket South Africa are currently in a "long discussion" with him on reversing his retirement, to come back into the Proteas Squad for a historic tournament at home, with "No Guarantee" of comeback yet.

de Villiers, 34, retired from all international cricket in May of this year, stating that he was "tired". He continues to play league cricket having represented RCB in the IPL and in ever-so good form doing it. However, the talks going on could mean a reversal of the decision in less than three months of time- to represent South Africa in the World T20 that is notably a home tournament.

de Villiers has represented the Proteas in 72 T20Is scoring 1672 runs at an average of 26.1. A prime case of being more than what his stats may show, AB has been a pivotal part of the RCB franchise in the IPL and has been renowned as one of the hardest hitters of the ball in all T20 cricket, and has achieved immensely for South Africa across formats.

CSA believes he is an extremely important member of the side and his inclusion will add great value and experience to the current Protea Side. His play-style and ability is something any team would want for their No. 3 or 4 position, and du Plessis' team would be seeking to have him back.

Reportedly, there are talks going on but there is no certainty to AB's comeback for the tournament, considering the recency of the retirement. However CSA is confident of bringing him back and will do everything in their power, but in the end the ultimate call lies on the hands of the man himself, and what he wants.

The Protea fans at home will be hoping to see the big man back in the Green & Gold, batting in front of the home crowd leading the side to the success they desire.​

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Team India Squad out as Rishabh Pant, Siddarth Kaul included, Suresh Raina dropped​

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Rishabh Pant scored 684 runs in this year's IPL, a shining light in Delhi's disastrous campaign​

BCCI have officially announced India's awaited, final 15-man squad for the World T20 in August. The side will not be led by MS Dhoni for the first time in the history of this tournament, after Virat Kohli took over white-ball captaincy in early 2017.​

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IPL break-outs Rishabh Pant & Siddarth Kaul have deservedly received call-ups to the main squad. Pant, 20 scored 684 runs in just 14 games for Delhi Daredevils including a 128* in a losing cause, going on to win the emerging player award. Kaul, 28, had his breakthrough IPL season with the Sunrisers picking up 21 wickets in his 17 games, the highest for his team on level with Rashid Khan. Both Pant & Kaul have made their T20I debuts for India but have played only 4 and 2 games respectively.​

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Veteran batsman Suresh Raina has been axed from the set-up after a repeated poor show of form in Internationals, despite a good season in the IPL with CSK. KL. Rahul, Dinesh Karthik & Rishabh Pant himself have been selected as the middle-order options in his expense, after all of them scored in excess of 490 runs in the IPL and will also be 3 other wicket keeping options alongside MS. Dhoni.​

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Krunal Pandya makes the cut as the spin all-rounder along with his brother in the all-round department while there is still no place for Ravindra Jadeja. Kuldeep Yadav & Yuzvendra Chahal have been preferred as the white-ball spin duo ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin.​

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Jasprit Bumrah & Bhuvneshwar Kumar, as expected are set to lead the pace attack along with Umesh Yadav- selected after a successful IPL season with RCB and a good outing in England, and the break-out Siddarth Kaul. Moreover Deepak Chahar, who played in the England tour & Jaydev Unadkat have been named as travelling reserves for the tournament.​

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BCCI Selector's statement- "It was a tough call to drop Raina despite his IPL but we were going to consider looking at International performances too to decide how we wanted to move forward with the side. With the kind of seasons Rishabh and KL had, they were undoubted picks, and DK also brings the experience and a seasoned backup glovesman factor to MSD. We will be working on our batting order. We are not looking at Jadeja and Ashwin for white-ball cricket, and Yuzi & Kuldeep have been doing very well to be ignored. Umesh's seniority in the Indian side adds value to the attack alongside Bumrah & Bhuvi, while Kaul's superior form in the IPL gives him the edge over Chahar. Overall we feel it is our best set of 15 players to travel to South Africa. Under Virat, we hope to recreate MSD's legacy, he was a legendary captain for us but this is a new era, and we are ready to once again make it one to remember"​

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Spoiler: World T20 Squad

India Squad: Virat Kohli (c), Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shikhar Dhawan, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Siddarth Kaul, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Rishabh Pant, KL. Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav
Travelling Reserves: Deepak Chahar, Jaydev Unadkat

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India will begin their WT20 campaign against rivals Pakistan on the first day of the Super 12 of the tournament.​

 

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