The T20 World Cup 2022 qualifying rounds is just six days away. It promises to be an exciting tournament with eight teams participating in this prestigious tournament. All 8 teams would be looking to make a mark in this tournament and qualify for the Super 12 stage starting on October 22, 2022.
Group A comprises Namibia, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates, while Group B will see Scotland, Ireland, West Indies, and Zimbabwe.
The winner of Group A and runners-up of Group B will club with Afghanistan, England, New Zealand, Australia in Group 1 of the Super 12 stage. In the other group, the winner of Group B and runners-up of Group A will join India, Pakistan, South Africa, and Bangladesh.
Also Read: 5 Debutants To Watch Out For In T20 World Cup 2022
Here we look at the possible four teams that can reach the Super 12 stage from the first round in T20 World Cup 2022.
#1 Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka have a good chance to qualify for the Super 12 stage thanks to their brilliant performances in the recently concluded Asia Cup 2022. They stunned everybody with top-quality performances, losing just 1 match and becoming the Asian champion for the sixth time.
Their batting looks decent with Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilka, Dhanajaya da Silva, Pathum Nissanka, and Bhaunka Rajapaksa. Sri Lanka have a decent bowling lineup with the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga. With the boundaries likely to favor the bowlers and put enough pressure on the opposition.
During the 2021 T20 World Cup played in UAE, Sri Lanka reached the Super 12 stage winning all three matches defeating Namibia, the Netherlands, and Ireland. Dasun Shanaka would be looking to lead from the front and hope to finish Group A as table toppers.
#2 Netherlands
Netherlands would be looking to make amends as they did not qualify for the Super 12 stage during the last edition of T20 World Cup. They lost all their matches to Namibia, Ireland, and Sri Lanka.
The Dutch have lots of experience with top-quality players like Colin Ackermann, and Roelf Van der Merwe coming back into the squad after missing the ODI series against Pakistan at home. They would be looking to perform against all three teams.
Netherlands qualified for the prestigious tournament as they reached the finals of Global qualifiers B that took place in July 2022. They would be looking to their big stars to showcase their experience and help the Netherlands qualify for the Super 12 stage.
#3 West Indies
West Indies have not been up to the mark in recent times during T20Is. They won only one match during the 2021 T20 World Cup in UAE. As a result of this, the two-time World Champions will play the qualifying round during T20 World Cup 2022.
This time, they will be led by Nicolas Pooran. They are pitted with Ireland, Scotland, and Zimbabwe. West Indies, who lost 2-0 to Australia recently, will look to improve their performance when the T20 World Cup begin.
The Caribbeans have a strong batting line-up with the likes of Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles, Brandon King, Pooran, and other explosive batters that can change the course of the game. They have good all- rounders in the form of Jason Holder and Odean Smith.
The bowling needs to click in tandem to restrict the run flow and pick wickets at regular intervals at the start and in the middle order.
#4 Ireland
Ireland would be looking to showcase their talent with a decent batting order. They failed to qualify for the Super 12 stage after a disappointing performance in the qualifying round during the 2021 T20 World Cup played in UAE.
The team will be led by Andrew Balbirnie. For the last few months, Ireland has performed brilliantly against top-quality nations like India and New Zealand. They almost chased down 222 runs against India losing by just 4 runs.
It looks like a solid unit as they would be looking to impress with decent batting order with the likes of Paul Stirling, Balbirnie, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, and other youngsters that can hit boundaries.
They have tough ask against West Indies, Scotland, and Zimbabwe. Ireland has a good chance to qualify for the Super 12 stage.
Written by Pavan Suresh
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