The World T20 2016 has already kicked-off with Associates and two ICC full members lock horns to progress through to the Super 10. Afghanistan has already progressed and will participate in the main tournament with the big boys of international cricket. The War wrecked Afghanistan defeated Zimbabwe and booked a berth for World T20.
With Afghanistan’s arrival on the big stage; the group of South Africa, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka got a good team who are capable of giving a good fight.
This World T20 has a couple of outstanding teams besides favourite India, South Africa and Australia. These dark horses can upset any big team on any day.
We have picked up the three teams who are dark horses of World T20 2016 tag-giant killers.
The Kiwis to walk long:
The Black Caps will face India in the tournament beginner at Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground, Jamtha, Nagpur on March 15. New Zealand being featured in the group of death will be a team to watch out for. They are a young team filled with power hitters like Martin Guptill and Colin Munro. Captain Kane Williamson is a prolific scorer who loves to score runs piercing the gaps.
New Zealand have a genuine allrounder Corey Anderson who has the calibre to single-handedly change the course of a match. Besides this, their fast bowlers, are one of the best in the World T20. They have Tim Southee, Trent Boult and fast bowler Adam Milne. Adding strength to this tournament New Zealand fielders are among the best in the world. Their athleticism will give them an edge in this tournament. The only thing they don’t have is a good spinner. They a had to bring Nathan McCullum, who retired from international cricket in 2015. However, on a batting-friendly pitch, the Black Caps will be a strong team. Though they have a weakness in the spin department, they can upset either India or Australia or beat Pakistan to keep their chances alive in this World T20.
Inexperienced England have ingredients to produce a shock:
Eoin Morgan’s England is an inexperienced team but they are a complete team. They have pinch hitters, they have allrounders and they have talented spinners and a few hungry fast bowlers. They feature in the group of South Africa, West Indies and Sri Lanka. Opener Alex Hales is in terrific form. Jason Roy will also compliment him well. In the middle order, Joe Root and Eion Morgan can launch onslaught. However, England team’s inexperience in Indian conditions possibly will not help them. However, England have talented allrounder Ben Stokes who is at bowling good fast and can swing bowler. That’s not all. he is a mighty fine hitter.
England recently lost a three-match series to South Africa. However, they have one of the best spinners in their rank. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid and off-spinner Moeen Ali can bamboozle South African and West Indies batsmen. Meanwhile, an unready Sri Lanka team will not be able to pose any big challenge to England. Young left-handed pacer Reece Topley and David Willy will be effective on Indian conditions.
Unpredictable Windies can bring the twist in the tournament:
Probably the most unpredictable team in this World T20 edition. They have a complete team. But their team spirit is questionable. They play the game as per their will. They can topple and shock you with their unpredictability.
West Indies even after losing Lendl Simmons and Kieron Pollard are a mighty T20 team. Their current T20 rank is second. They have T20’s best batsman Chris Gayle in their ranks whose mere presence at the crease will create fear in bowlers’ mind.
An enigmatic West Indies can score 200 in one day and on another day they can lose ten wickets even before scoring 100. They are the champions of 2012 edition. They have the ability to beat a team like South Africa and England and can blow away Sri Lanka. However, they can lose points to Afghanistan because of their scale of unpredictability.
Two good all-rounders – Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell – have the caliber to win the match signle-handedly both with fielding, batting and bowling. But they are patchy. They have a spinner like Suleman Benn and a fast bowler like Jerome Taylor. However, you can’t predict about West Indies’ future in the tournament.
West Indies are a team who will create fear in any team’s subconscious mind. But, one can’t rule out a self-explosion as well.