It’s a widely accepted belief that batters win games but it’s the bowlers who win you tournaments. All championship-winning teams are built on the strength of their bowling. The presence of bowling variety is a big advantage. These bowlers are not necessarily head-turners but are mighty effective, pacers to watch out for.
In West Indies’ double T20 World Cup win in 2012, a bowler like Ravi Rampaul played a pivotal role. Similarly, Jofra Archer was key to England’s success in ODI World Cup 2019. This T20 World Cup will be no different.
We look at 5 pacers to watch out for this T20 World Cup:
#5 Lockie Ferguson
He was one of the crucial cogs for Gujarat Titans in their title-winning campaign this year. Lockie Ferguson was the enforcer in the middle-overs. He struck crucial blows right throughout the middle phase choking opponents. Ferguson bowls the hard lengths making it difficult for batsmen to score freely. He will find the conditions in Australia right up his ally.
#4 Kagiso Rabada
He is arguably the best Test bowler of this generation. Nobody has better numbers in red-ball cricket than Kagiso Rabada at this moment. But Rabada’s in white-ball cricket has improved significantly. He came into his own as a T20 bowler since IPL 2020. Rabada has been one of the leading wicket-takers ever since. He will relish playing on the hard surfaces of Australia.
#3 Mitchell Starc
There is something about ICC events that bring out the best in Mitchell Starc. But Starc has not yet hit his straps in the shortest format of the game. The T20 World Cup being played at home will bring out the best in him. His left-arm angle troubles the best in the business. Starc is a handful when he bowls round the wicket to right-handers. He will be one of the bowlers to watch out for.
#2 Jasprit Bumrah
He is undoubtedly the best bowler across formats. Jasprit Bumrah made his way into international cricket through the T20s. He made a name for himself playing in the IPL. Bumrah’s ascension to the top has primarily been due to his unrelenting consistency. He has tasted success across formats in Australia before. Bumrah will hold the key to India’s fortunes in the T20 World Cup.
#1 Shaheen Shah Afridi
He was single-handedly responsible for India’s exit from the T20 World Cup 2021. His twin strikes in his opening two overs all but ended India’s challenge last year. Shaheen Shah Afridi is currently nursing an injury. The Pakistani fans are waiting with bated breath for him to regain full fitness. Afridi will be an ever-persisting threat to all teams once he gets into the groove.
