A Look Ahead to the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup

T20 cricket is one of the fastest formats of the game in terms of how long it takes to play and produce a result. The beauty of the game is that it can swing in the favour of either team from one moment to the next as batsmen hit boundaries and the bowlers take wickets. A hugely tactical game provides many betting opportunities, from the end result through to in-game wagers.

Where will the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup take place?

Reigning world champions Australia will be the host nation for the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup with play to commence 16th October where Sri Lanka play Namibia at the 40,000 capacity Kardinia Park, Geelong, Victoria. The final will be played on the 13th November at Melbourne Cricket Ground that can house a massive 100,000 spectators. The other venues hosting matches include Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Perth and Sydney.

Qualification for the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup

A total of sixteen teams will qualify to play in the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup. Twelve of those teams automatically qualify if they played in the Super 12 phase of the 2021 T20 World Cup. These teams include Australia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, England, India, Namibia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies.

Four more teams join the automatic qualifiers through a global qualification process. In the Global Qualifier A group, Ireland and the UAE have already qualified for the World Cup. Global Qualifier B is scheduled to take place between 11th July and 17th July in Zimbabwe. Two groups of four teams have been drawn to play each other once. Group A consists of Jersey, Singapore, United States and Zimbabwe while Group B entertains Hong Kong, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea and Uganda. The winner of each group will qualify for the ICC T20 World Cup.

When the World Cup begins two groups of four teams go head-to-head to try and earn their place in the Super 12. Group A consists of Namibia, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates and the Global Qualifier B runner-up. Group B will be occupied by Ireland, Scotland, West Indies and the Global Qualifier B winner. Each team will play each other once, with the top two placed teams in each group qualifying for the Super 12.

The Super 12 are split into two groups of six teams. Group 1 contains Afghanistan, Australia, England, New Zealand, Group A winner and the runner-up of Group B. Group 2 will house Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Group B winner and the runner-up of Group A. Each team will play each other once with the top two placed teams in each group progressing to the semi-finals to be played on the 9th and 10th November. The winners of each semi-final will compete in the final to be played on 13th November.

Now we have a grasp of the format and schedule let’s take a look at some of teams and players to watch out for in the ICC T20 World Cup.

Teams to Watch in the ICC T2 Cricket World Cup

Since the first ICC T20 World Cup in 2007 there has been six different winners. The West Indies have won the tournament twice, with England, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and current reigning champions Australia, winning the competition once.

Pakistan

Recently one of the most improved teams in international cricket and boasting some fabulous players, Pakistan is currently ranked third in the ICC world rankings. Last year they reached the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup only to be knocked out by eventual winners Australia. Pakistan’s form in the past twelve months reflects 13 wins and 4 losses proving they will be in with a shout for winning the ICC T20 trophy this year.

In Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan, they have a devastating opening partnership that can quickly take a game away from the opposition or chase big targets. They have a ranking of 1st and 3rd respectively in the ICC world batting rankings. Babar Azam has played 74 T20 international matches amassing 2,686 runs at an average of 45.53. In the ICC T20 World Cup he was the highest run scorer of the whole tournament. In the Pakistan bowling attack, they will be looking towards 22-year-old Shaheen Afridi to take wickets. Ranked 10th in the world he has taken 47 wickets at an average of 24.31.

South Africa

Last year in the ICC T20 World Cup, South Africa narrowly missed out on a place in the semi-finals. Currently ranked fourth in the world with a win loss record of 14 – 2 in the past twelve months, they will be hoping to go one better this time around. They look to the wily unorthodox left arm spin of world number one ICC T20 bowler Tabraiz Shamsi. His record in T20 internationals sees him taking a total of 57 wickets at an average of 20.71 from 47 matches. Shamsi will be supported in the bowling attack with the pace and aggression of fast bowler Anrich Nortje.

All-rounder Aiden Markram will be an important inclusion in the team with his capability to score runs and take the odd wicket when called upon. The batting line up further is strengthened by the dependable Rassie van der Dussen and the exciting left-handed free scoring Quinton de Kock, who recently finished as the third highest run scorer in the 2022 Indian Premier League season.

Afghanistan

If you are looking towards the underdogs then Afghanistan may be able to spring a few surprises. With a record of three wins and three losses in the past twelve months they will be hoping the experienced Mohammed Nabi will be in top form. He is currently the number one ICC ranked all-rounder and is nicknamed ‘Mr President’. In 86 T20 internationals he averages 23.07 with the bat and with his right-arm off spin he has 73 wickets at an average of 27.95.

Afghanistan will believe their bowling attack is the team’s strength, with the economic wicket taking Rashid Khan bowling his unpredictable right-arm leg breaks. In 58 T20 international appearances he has taken 105 wickets at an average of 12.92. Further spin quality will support Khan in the attack with right-arm off spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

England

England has an abundance of talent in their T20 international team and the past twelve months has produced a record of 11 wins and 6 losses. In their batting line-up there are some explosive hitters who can score quickly. Jos Buttler recently finished as top run scorer in the Indian Premier League. Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow are other batsmen that can produce match winning performances. While paceman Jofra Archer is ruled out, England will turn their bowling attention to the tricky Adil Rashid. His right-arm leg breaks often produce moments of wizardry and he has taken 81 wickets in 73 T20 internationals at an average of 22.71.

The team also has two top ten ICC T20 ranked all-rounders in their squad that provides strength, depth and plenty of options. Liam Livingstone can bowl both leg spin and off spin while scoring freely when in form. Moeen Ali can provide valuable experience with both the bat and ball.

Bangladesh

Another team like Afghanistan that may be able to provide an upset during the tournament. They have a great option in their bowling attack with Nasum Ahmed and one of the best all-rounders in the world in Shakib Al Hasan. Bangladesh has won 12 and lost 13 matches in the past twelve months.

Australia

The reigning ICC T20 champions are ranked fifth in the world. The stars of the team include big hitting Aaron Finch and a strong bowling attack featuring leg spinner Adam Zampa and right arm fast medium pace bowler Josh Hazlewood. The team is further strengthened by exciting all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.

This year’s ICC T20 World Cup 2022 will certainly be an exciting tournament to watch. There are plenty of betting opportunities available here at mr.play. Don’t forget that shorter form white ball cricket matches can be quite unpredictable so we recommend you bet wisely and within your financial limits. If you think you have a problem with betting contact gambleaware.co.uk for free advice and support.