Twenty-20 cricket is a game of uncertainty, where a fantastic spell, a spectacular run-out, or a string of consecutive boundaries may entirely change the game. Crossing the finish line also necessitates a touch of luck.
The ICC T20I standings are topped by India, followed by England, Pakistan, and South Africa. Aside from this, Australia is still considered favorite to win the World Cup. However, some of the underdogs may throw a wrench in these elite teams’ preparations. We anticipate that teams such as Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, the West Indies, and Ireland would make life difficult for the top nations in the upcoming 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Srilanka
After winning Asia everyone should keep in mind how this team has the potential of a lion. Even though the lion is young, it is capable of doing everything in its potential, of being lethal.
In 2021, Sri Lanka defeated India 2-1 at home in the T20 series. Wanindu Hasaranga won the series with 7 wickets, including a career-high 4 wickets for 9 runs in the last match.
Hasaranga has been their important bowler, taking 36 wickets at an average of 12.97 in the last 19 games. Dushmantha Chameera has also been outstanding with the ball, taking 22 wickets in the last 25 matches. Lahiru Kumara, a right-arm pacer, has taken 17 wickets in the last 12 games at an average of 21.35.
Sri Lanka’s hitters are led by Pathum Nissanka (547 runs in the past 19 T20Is), Charith Asalanka (521 runs in 20 T20Is), and Dasun Shanaka (467 runs from 22 T20Is).
Afghanistan
The Afghans, who gained full ICC membership in 2017, are only two places behind Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s T20 Ranking. The team has acquired worldwide acclaim and popularity, owing mostly to world-class spinners and match-winning all-rounders like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, who frequently perform well in the Indian Premier League.
Afghanistan has been a fantastic white-ball team as well, winning all five of their previous five T20I bilateral Twenty-20 series against countries such as the West Indies, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Bangladesh. They made their first impression in March 2019, when they defeated Ireland in their first-ever Test match, with to Rashid Khan’s 5-wicket haul. The following year, they defeated Bangladesh.
Afghans advanced to the Super-12 stage ahead of nations such as Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and Zimbabwe. Unpredictability is guaranteed in the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2022.
West Indies
Nobody would dare to overlook the West Indies, especially in the T20 format. Many people do not consider them to be underdogs. They were a force to be reckoned with, having won the ODI and T20 World Cups twice.
However, West Indies’ recent performances have been so poor that they will not be able to immediately qualify for the Super 12 stage of the forthcoming 2022 T20 World Cup. They are currently ranked seventh in the ICC Men’s T20 team rankings. If it’s any consolation, we believe they are the finest underdog for the 2017 T20I World Cup.
It would be a great mistake to view the West Indies as a weak opponent in the T20 World Cup in 2022. Based on their recent performances, they are undeniably underdogs. The opponents, on the other hand, would do well to remember that Twenty-20 is their specialty, and the Windies are known to feature some of the best T20 specialists, hard-hitters, match finishers, and all-rounders in the world.
Ireland
Ireland is currently ranked 15th in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings. Their important hitters are Paul Stirling, skipper Andy Balbirnie, and Lorcan Tucker, while their top bowlers are Mark Adair and Josh Little.
Ireland has previously defeated teams such as the West Indies, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan in T20 cricket. They have recently made an impression in ODIs as well. Ireland defeated the West Indies 2-1 in the three-match One-Day International series in January of this year. Andy McBrine, a left-handed hitter and right-arm spinner, was named player of the series after scoring 128 runs and taking 10 wickets.
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