By Suranjan Mitra
The season of Cricket is heating up with the ICC world T20 world cup on the verge. It is going to be held in Bangladesh who is hosting an ICC event solely for the first time. The tournament is starting from March 16, 2013 and will continue till April 6. There are two phases of the event- the first one will see matches of all qualifying nations including the host Bangladesh. The second phase will have the top eight nations and the other two qualified from the first phase.
First phase will go on till March 21 having teams like Bangladesh, Netherlands, Afghanistan, Ireland, Kenya, Scotland, Nepal and Zimbabwe. Only two teams will qualify to the Super 10 stage. These 8 teams have further been divided 2 groups.
Group A -Bangladesh -Afghanistan
-Hong Kong
-Nepal
Group B -Zimbabwe -Scotland
-Ireland
-Kenya
The next round is starting from March 22 with the opener India vs Pakistan (hopefully an Asia Cup Revenge match for India). The top 10 nations will then fight for a berth in the semis.
Lets us dig out some statistics regarding this event:-
Highest totals
Sri Lanka 260/6 vs Kenya
India 218/4 vs England
South Africa 211/5 vs Scotland
South Africa 208/2 vs West Indies
West Indies 205/6 vs South Africa
Lowest Totals
Ireland 68 vs West Indies
Kenya 73 vs New Zealand
Afghanistan 80 vs England
Afghanistan 80 vs South Africa
England 80 vs India
Most Runs in T20 world cup
Mahela Jayawardene 858
Chris Gayle 664
Tillakeratne Dilshan 632
Kumar Sangakkara 590
Kevin Pietersen 580
Brendan Mccullum 552
Most wickets in t20 world cup
Lasith malinga 33
Saeed Ajmal 32
Ajantha Mendis 31
Shahid Afridi 31
Umar Gul 29
Highest Individual scores
Brendan Mccullum 123
Chris Gayle 117
Suresh Raina 101
Mahela Jayawardene 100
Luke Wright 99*
Team Reviews:-
Afghanistan
Only played in the last world cup at Sri Lanka, they have shown massive improvement since then. Their recent ODI victory against Bangladesh has won many hearts. Though it will be tough for them to qualify to the Stage 2. None of their players have more than 100 career runs in t20 internationals.
Australia
One of the serious contenders of this event, with the likes of George bailey and Mitchell Johnson (who is in supreme form), they should qualify to the semis if not the finals. Runners up in the previous event, all hopes will be on the openers.
Key Players- Shane Watson, Bailey, Johnson
Bangladesh
Being the hosts they are the favorites to qualify to the second round though their recent form is not so great.
Key Players- Rahim, Shakib Al hasan.
England
Already lost the ashes, hammered in the ODI series, having disputes with players, without Kevin Pietersen, Injured Joe Root, blah blah. This team looks weak at present. Still this 2009 T20 champions have hopes on skipper Broad and world No.2 Alex Hales
Key Players- Alex Hales, Stuart Broad
Ireland
Recently beaten the world champions in a T20 match, this underdog is high on confidence. The best emerging team at present.
Key Players- Paul Sterling, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce
India
Having a time at the international level, but one of the strongest contenders of the trophy. Always blessed with bat, bowling remained the problem of this team. The comeback of skipper Dhoni and Yuvraj will boost the team.
Key Players- Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh
Pakistan
The team who can do anything anytime. With matches from a losing position and lose it from a winning position. Having the great bowling attack, this team can upset many teams.
Key Players- Misbah Ul Haq, Saaed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi
New Zealand
The giant killers, underdogs are the other of the Kiwis. Blessed with some good hard hitters they can defeat any team.
Key Players- Brendan Mccullum, Corey Anderson
West Indies
The defending champions and the best power hitters of the world at present. The invincibles having Gayle, Smith, Narine they can defend the trophy once again.
Key Players- Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Dwayne Bravo
Sri Lanka
The champions of Asia, the world cup finalists, the world T20 runners up, this team never upsets on big tournaments. They lost quite a few times in cup finals but recently broke the jinx. This team is in great form.
Key Players- Angelo Mathews, Lasith Malinga, Kumar Sangakkara
South Africa
The best test team with the best bowling attack. They have the Mr.360 ⁰. Always regarded as the chokers, but not this time atleast.
Key Players- AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, Fa du Plessis
