The ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 stage have begun on a surprising note with defending champions Australia going down against New Zealand by 89 runs in Sydney. However, England kicked off the proceedings on a winning note, beating Afghanistan convincingly.
While all teams look competitive on paper, it will boil down how they perform in the field. The sides who handle pressure in clutch situations will be key to make it to the semi-finals.
On that note, let’s have a look at four teams who can’t make it to the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.
#1 Afghanistan
Even though they have several match winners in their team, like Rahmatullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, and Mujeeb ur Rahman they still wouldn’t be a certainty of making it into the semi-finals, given the quality of teams placed in their groups, such as Australia, New Zealand, and England.
Although these teams have their weaknesses playing against quality spin, they are far much better teams than the Afghans. The Afghans have the potential to surprise all, but for now, they aren’t one of the semi-finalists in the land down under.
#2 Bangladesh
This year, unlike the previous edition, they are one of the eight teams qualifying directly into the Super 12. But their squad looks more depleted from the last edition due to a lack of experienced players like Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim.
So now all the responsibility must be shouldered by players like Shakib Al Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, and Liton Das if Bangladesh wants a decent tournament. Given their depleted squad and their winless outing in the tri-series in New Zealand, they are one of the probable teams not to make it past the group stage.
#3 Pakistan
In recent months we have seen how their batting revolves around their openers, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. If either one of them doesn’t play, doesn’t provide a solid foundation, or does not play the majority of overs, then their middle order comes under pressure.
Due to the absence of players like Shoaib Malik, their middle order is vastly inexperienced, and the team doesn’t back players to play a particular position like other quality teams. Even though they won the tri-series against New Zealand, it could be observed that the drivers of all their victories were their openers.
In the game they lost against New Zealand, the team’s overreliance on their openers could be seen. Does the question arise whether, on a given day, the team can win a game on the back of their middle order if their bowlers and openers don’t have a great day?
#4 Australia
It’s an unconventional choice, given that they are the defending champions and the home favourites. Their inconsistent performances in this format have raised questions. The shocking defeat against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup opener has raised questions once again.
One of the main questions they need to answer is David Warner’s fitness and the form of some of their players. Given that they are in a group with England and New Zealand, who have been performing consistently in such multi-nation tournaments in the last few years doesn’t allow the Aussies to get into their rhythm slowly.
They will have to be at the top of their game from the beginning, or they will fall behind in the race to the semis, especially in their backyard.
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