Sunday 24 / November / 2024
Which big names will miss selection for the starting XI of every team at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022?
With the Big Time upon us, we run the rule over every ICC Men's T20 World Cup squad and pick the likely starting XI for all 16 teams.
Afghanistan
The key names remain for Afghanistan, with Mohammad Nabi to captain the side and Rashid Khan the lynchpin of the attack.
But there has been some significant change in the past year, with Hamid Hassan and Mohammad Shahzad among a group of players that the selectors have moved on from. Striking a balance between a spin-specialising squad and seamer-friendly conditions will be the key.
Predicted XI: Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Usman Ghani, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Naveen ul Haq, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Fareed Ahmad Malik.
Australia
Will Steve Smith make the starting Australian team? The arrival of Tim David in the lower middle order would suggest not, particularly with Marcus Stoinis likely safe thanks to his ability to contribute overs with the ball.
Aaron Finch’s concerning form would make him vulnerable at the top of the order were it not for the captain’s armband, although if the lack of runs continues for Finch then a big decision may have to be made.
Predicted XI: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Bangladesh
Bangladesh are a new and experimental outfit after making a host of changes since last year’s T20 World Cup.
The vastly experienced Shakib Al Hasan remains at the helm, and in Australian conditions he will be looking to a lively group of quicks – including Taskin Ahmed Hasan and Shoriful Islam – to spring some surprises in Group 2.
Predicted XI: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (wk), Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Afif Hossain, Yasir Ali, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed Hasan, Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam
England
The late return to fitness of Liam Livingstone prior to the start of the tournament could see England opt for the extra bowler in the Super 12 stage, but don’t be shocked if they opt to incorporate Livingstone into the top six as the tournament progresses.
Competition between Chris Woakes, David Willey and Chris Jordan as the fifth front-line bowler is tight.
Predicted XI: Jos Buttler (c, wk), Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley
India
The return of Dinesh Karthik as a finisher, the improved fitness of Hardik Pandya, and the remarkable form of Suryakumar Yadav means India have power to burn in their middle order even if, as is possible, Rishabh Pant isn't included.
The absence of Jasprit Bumrah is a significant blow however. Competition between the remaining bowlers is fierce, with final selection likely to come down to conditions on the day.
Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh
Ireland
It’s a largely tried and tested formula for Ireland in T20Is of late, although the decision to leave Andy McBrine out does change the dynamic somewhat.
Young batter Stephen Doheny is putting pressure on the top order for selection, while with the ball much will likely depend on the impact of Josh Little.
Predicted XI: Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie (c), Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Curtis Campher, Mark Adair, Simi Singh, Barry McCarthy, Josh Little
Namibia
Namibia enjoyed an extremely successful T20 World Cup campaign a year ago, and the selectors have stuck with the core of the squad to lead the charge in Australia.
Talented young batter Divan la Cock could make an impact at the top of the order, but the stand-out trio of David Wiese, Ruben Trumpelmann and Gerhard Erasmus will be the backbone of the side.
Predicted XI: Divan la Cock, Michael van Lingen, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (c), Jan Frylinck, JJ Smit, David Wiese, Ruben Trumpelmann, Zane Green (wk), Bernard Scholtz, Tangeni Lungameni
Netherlands
No longer able to call on Pieter Seelaar and Ryan ten Doeschate, this is the start of a new era for the Netherlands.
A small squad with no reserves will likely see a relatively settled XI, with Max O’Dowd the key at the top of the order and wicketkeeper Scott Edwards to skipper the side.
Predicted XI: Stephan Myburgh, Max O'Dowd, Vikramjit Singh, Bas de Leede, Tom Cooper, Scott Edwards (c, wk), Roelof van der Merwe, Timm van der Gugten, Shariz Ahmad, Fred Klaassen, Brandon Glover
New Zealand
The arrival of Finn Allen at the top of the order and the return of Lockie Ferguson to the international scene means New Zealand have some significant selection decisions to make.
If the pace of both Adam Milne and Ferguson is to be accommodated then a big name has to make way, potentially Tim Southee.
And where does Martin Guptill fit? Maybe at three, maybe at five? But, if selection in the run-up is anything to go by, the veteran will have to settle for carrying drinks.
Predicted XI: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
Pakistan
The fitness of Shaheen Shah Afridi is the big concern for Pakistan, and he could be allowed some rest against weaker opponents in the Super 12 stage. With Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah also in the attack there is no lack of pace if Shaheen is eased into the tournament.
There were positive signs from the middle order in the run-up to the tournament, which should reassure an opening pair on whom so much rests.
Predicted XI: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shan Masood, Mohammad Nawaz, Haider Ali, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Scotland
The leadership has changed hands, with Kyle Coetzer retiring and Richie Berrington taking over, but Scotland’s XI will be largely unchanged from the last T20 World Cup.
Whether spinner Mark Watt can have a similar impact in the less spin-friendly conditions awaiting him in Australia remains to be seen.
Predicted XI: George Munsey, Michael Jones, Matthew Cross (wk), Richard Berrington (c), Calum MacLeod, Michael Leask, Mark Watt, Chris Greaves, Bradley Wheal, Josh Davey, Chris Sole
Scotland
The leadership has changed hands, with Kyle Coetzer retiring and Richie Berrington taking over, but Scotland’s XI will be largely unchanged from the last T20 World Cup.
Whether spinner Mark Watt can have a similar impact in the less spin-friendly conditions awaiting him in Australia remains to be seen.
Predicted XI: George Munsey, Michael Jones, Matthew Cross (wk), Richard Berrington (c), Calum MacLeod, Michael Leask, Mark Watt, Chris Greaves, Bradley Wheal, Josh Davey, Chris Sole
Sri Lanka
The turnaround in Sri Lanka’s fortunes in the second half of 2022 has been extraordinary, and the squad that took them to the Asia Cup title makes up the majority of the likely T20 World Cup XI.
Will the outstanding spin pair of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana be able to have an impact in Australian conditions? That is the big question for Sri Lanka.
Predicted XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka
UAE
Zahoor Khan will lead a bowling attack high on talent but low on big-match experience.
The power of Vriitya Aravind down the order could play a big part for UAE, with Chirag Suri the likeliest to weight in with volume of runs up the order.
Predicted XI: Muhammad Waseem, Chirag Suri, Aryan Lakra, Vriitya Aravind (wk), Chundangapoyil Rizwan (c), Basil Hameed, Aayan Afzal Khan, Zawar Farid, Karthik Meiyappan, Junaid Siddique, Zahoor Khan
West Indies
The selection of the West Indies squad saw a clear move away from the veterans who underperformed in 2021. Evin Lewis is back though and is likely to be given a chance at the top of the order.
A batting-heavy approach with Jason Holder at seven is the aggressive option, although Lewis or Shamarh Brooks could be left out in favour of Sheldon Cottrell if the team opt for an extra bowler.
Predicted XI: Kyle Mayers, Evin Lewis, Brandon King, Shamarh Brooks, Nicholas Pooran (c, wk), Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Odean Smith, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Obed McCoy
Zimbabwe
A roster of decent quick bowlers could give Zimbabwe the chance to rotate, with Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara and Luke Jongwe likely competing for two spots.
Sikandar Raza is the key player with both bat and ball. The spin-bowling all-rounder has been in superb form in 2022.
Predicted XI: Craig Ervine (c), Regis Chakabva (wk), Sean Williams, Wessly Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara,
