- Make no mistake, the cricket buffs all across the globe will be eagerly awaiting the start of the delayed T20 World Cup which is all set to unleash unbridled entertainment in the United Arab Emirates in the coming weeks. Originally supposed to be held in India had to be shifted to the UAE owing to the pandemic. A total of 16 teams will be contesting in two groups on a round-robin league basis with the top four teams going into Super 12s. Cricket aficionados will vouch that the ultra-short format of the game has acquired such a huge following over the years owing to its slam-bang variety where the fours and sixes define the contest.
PC: International Cricket Council
- Trust me, the appetite of T20 backers will be satiated with relentless entertainment for sure. In this format, bowlers usually essay restrictive roles where the emphasis is to thwart run-making rather than wicket-taking. The mechanics of market-driven demand and supply applies to cricket too. As such, so long as the paying and viewing public are cricket hungry, there will be no dearth of sponsors who will leave no stone unturned in presenting the spectacle in an entertaining and eye-catching manner. As is known, the shortest format of the game usually does not allow even the pundits or seasoned experts to name favourites or pinpoint accurately who will succeed in going the distance.
- At best, an informed guess can be attempted but so unpredictable is the nature of the sports that it might fall flat in the end. As cliched it might sound, any better team of the day competing well in all departments will eventually emerge the winner. It sounds so simple, but it isn’t when the game is on. Of course, the key to the emergence of the eventual winner is to play consistent cricket throughout the tournament. It is here that few teams are well-prepared to display their wherewithal by producing consistently high-quality performances. Which are these teams that can lay claim to the coveted cup by outsmarting other teams quite easily?
PC:
- Few of the teams that could be in the last four stages are India, England, New Zealand, and a possible toss-up between Australia and West Indies. Australia has had a disappointing last few series in the T20 format, but the previous form cannot be the measuring parameter for the Champion side to challenge the established order. They are quite capable of surprising any team on their day. The two-time T20 World Champions West Indies play breathtaking cricket pulverizing the opposition through their unique brand of gamesmanship. Then there is the Pakistani side which is not only perennially unpredictable and inconsistent but may disappoint their fans through horrendous performances on an off day.
- However, when they get their bearings right, Pakistan can be a dangerous side upsetting the favourites and in-form team in no time. Did you mention how can one forget South Africans, the perpetual favourites but always end up on the losing side? You never know for sure what will be the end result in the shortest format. Nonetheless, the stage is all set to kick-off the much-awaited World Cup and the cricket buffs cannot wait any longer. Bring it on!
