The 2021 ICC T20 World Cup is almost around the corner. 16 teams will compete in the T20 WC qualifiers which will start from October 17 before concluding on November 14, 2021. But as the tournament gets closer, we take a look at the teams and they are building up for the event. 

We will look at the “Qualifiers” or “Round 1” group. Eight teams divided into two groups of four will be competing. The top two teams from each group will progress to the “Super 12s” round. Table-toppers from group A and Runner-ups from Group B will qualify for Super 12s Group 1 while Table-toppers from group B and Runner-ups from Group A will qualify for Super 12s Group 2. 

Apart from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the other six teams have played in 2019 T20 WC Qualifier which was held in UAE, so their stats will be reviewed mostly from there. As for Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, their stats will be reviewed from 2020 onwards.  

Let’s take a look. 

T20 WC Qualifiers: Group A Preview

IRELAND

T20I Rankings: 12th

Best result in T20 WC: Super 8s, 2009 ICC T20 World Cup

What can we expect: Group Stage (Super 12s)

Overview

Ireland is one of the teams you’d expect to come out and surprise the opposition. In the previous three 50-overs World Cup where they played, they have defeated West Indies (2015), England (2011) and Pakistan (2007). They are no strangers when it comes to making an upset or two. They are expected to go through Super 12s. 

Top Ranked Batter

Paul Stirling – 15th

Stirling is the seventh-highest run-scorer this year, with over 550 runs at a strike rate of 135, including three fifties and a hundred. In the Qualifiers, he was the highest run-scorer in the tournament, with 291 runs at an average of 42, striking at 135. He is having an excellent two years in T20Is. He will be eyeing to give a solid start for Ireland and help them qualify.

Top Ranked Bowler

Mark Adair – 28th

18 wickets at an average of 14.33, the fast bowler has done well for his side since the start of 2020. Even in the Qualifiers, he was excellent. He averaged 12.5 for his 12 wickets and an economy under five. As the leader of the attack, he will have to provide Ireland with early breakthroughs to set the tone. 

Schedule

October 18 – vs the Netherlands 

October 20 – vs Sri Lanka

October 22 – vs Namibia

NAMIBIA

T20I Rankings: 19th

Best result in T20 WC: None (First appearance)

What can we expect: Group Stage (Round 1)

Overview

Namibia is one of the two teams that will be making their debut in the Men’s T20 World Cup competition. They defeated Oman in the semi-final playoffs ended 4th in the qualifying tournament. They did well in that competition, and whatever the experience they got from there, they will be looking to use all it in the mega event. 

Top Ranked Batter

Gerhard Erasmus – 64th

He was the second-highest run-scorer in the WCQ and is easily their best batsman. He scored 268 runs at almost 40 average and a strike rate of 137. He would like his fellow teammates to step up in the batting department and help Namibia score big. 

Top Ranked Bowler

Bernard Scholtz – 63rd

He was the joint second-best bowler for Namibia in the WCQ with 15 wickets to his name, coming at an average of 12. Namibia’s bowlers have done well in UAE. Their three bowlers are in the top five of most wickets in that tournament. Bowlers will be a lookout for. 

Schedule

October 18 – vs Sri Lanka

October 20 – vs the Netherlands

October 22 – vs Ireland

NETHERLANDS

T20I Rankings: 17th

Best result in T20 WC: Super 10s, 2014 ICC T20 World Cup

What can we expect: Group Stage (Round 1)

Overview

Champions of the 2019 T20 WC Qualifiers, the Netherlands will be representing their fourth T20 World Cup. They only reached as far as Super 10s in the 2014 ICC T20 World Cup. However, they do have a couple of great memories. They defeated England twice; in their first-ever T20 WC match in 2009 and 2014. They are also remembered for their incredible run chase, chasing Ireland’s 189 under 14th over in 2014 to qualify for the next round. They would like to do a little better this time. 

Top Ranked Batter

Ben Cooper – 39th

The Netherlands did not play many T20Is since the start of 2020. Ben Cooper, who has been their best-ranked batter, scored 246 runs, averaging 36 in the Qualifiers. He and Max O’Dowd, the second-best rank batter for the Dutch, did well in the qualifying competition. Both of them will have to do well in the competition to progress further.

Top Ranked Bowler

Roelof van der Merwe – 55th

The Netherlands’ most experienced player, vd Merwe, is an all-rounder. He took 12 wickets under the economy of six, bowling very tightly most of the games. Presenting his fourth T20 World Cup as well, his experience throughout the years for the Netherlands will be handy. 

Schedule

October 18 – vs Ireland

October 20 – vs Namibia 

October 22 – vs Sri Lanka

SRI LANKA

T20I Rankings: 10th

Best result in T20 WC: Champions, 2014 ICC T20 World Cup

What can we expect: Group Stage (Super 12s)

Overview

The champions of the 2014 T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka, find themselves in an unusual round to begin their tournament. For the first time in their history, Sri Lanka will play in the qualifying round and will compete against Ireland, Netherlands, and Namibia. They are highly expected to qualify for the Super 12s. 

Top Ranked Batter

Kusal Perera – 37th 

Sri Lanka’s top-ranked batsman, Kusal Perera, must play his role in the top order. Sri Lanka has having batting issues lately. The lack of runs from the top order batsmen is hurting them. Kusal, who has 12 fifties in 51 innings, will need to give Sri Lanka a strong start. 

Top Ranked Bowler

Wanindu Hasaranga – 2nd

The world’s number 2 bowler, Wanindu Hasaranga, has had a brilliant last 12-18 months. He has picked 24 average at an outstanding average of 14 and has an economy under 6. Also handy with the bat, Hasaranga will have to do his double duty well. Being Sri Lanka’s strike force, he is also one of the bowlers to watch out for this competition.

Schedule

October 18 – vs Namibia 

October 20 – vs Ireland

October 22 – vs the Netherlands

T20 WC Qualifiers: Group B Preview

BANGLADESH

T20I Rankings: 6th

Best result in T20 WC: Super 8s, 2007 ICC T20 World Cup

What can we expect: Group Stage (Super 12s)

Overview

One of the teams to look out for not just from this round but also Super 12 – should they qualify. Despite being winless in the 2016 T20 World Cup, Bangladesh has improved in white-ball cricket well since 2015. They are expected to go to the next round without much of an issue from this group. 

Top Ranked Batter

Mohammad Naim – 24th

He has been Bangladesh’s highest run-scorer since the start of 2020. He scored 427 in 18 games. However, his strike rate is poor, which is less than run-a-ball. With Tamim Iqbal out of the tournament, Naim has to step up in the batting department. 

Top Ranked Bowler

Mustafizur Rahman – 8th

He is the joint fifth-highest wicket-taker in T20Is since the start of 2020. In his only appearance so far in the 2016 T20 World Cup, he played three games for Bangladesh out of four and took nine wickets. This also includes his first T20I five-wicket haul against New Zealand. Now the pace attack leader, and on slow wickets of UAE, Mustafizur will have to use his variations smartly to help Bangladesh go through the next round. 

Schedule

October 17 – vs Scotland

October 19 – vs Oman

October 21 – vs Papua New Guinea 

OMAN

T20I Rankings: 18th

Best result in T20 WC: First Round, 2016 ICC T20 World Cup

What can we expect: Group Stage (Round 1) 

Overview

Oman will be appearing for the second time. They played their maiden tournament in the 2016 edition, ending in the first round. They had a scare when they were defeated by Namibia in the semi-final playoffs. However, they came top against Hong Kong in the 5th place playoffs and qualified. There aren’t many expectations from the host nation, but in T20 cricket, you never know. 

Top Ranked Batter

Jatinder Singh – 45th

He was Oman’s best batsman in the WCQ, averaging 38 and striking at 134. He was far better than any batsmen from Oman in the WCQ. The team relied more on his performances. The batting is something Oman needs to fix before the competition begins. 

Top Ranked Bowler

Bilal Khan – 29th 

In the Qualifiers, he was the highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets at an average of 12 and striking at six and a half. The left-arm fast bowler is also the country’s highest wicket-taker. He led the Oman bowling attack very well and is expected to repeat the performance again.  

Schedule

October 17 – vs Papua New Guinea

October 19 – vs Bangladesh

October 21 – vs Scotland

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

T20I Rankings: 15th

Best result in T20 WC: None (First appearance) 

What can we expect: Group Stage (Round 1)

Overview

They are the second team after Namibia to make their debut in an ICC event. PNG were the runner-ups of the WCQ, losing to the Netherlands in the final. They had the near-perfect tournament. They topped their group stage, resulting in them to qualify this competition. There is a chance that they could reach the next round. 

Top Ranked Batter

Tony Ura – 34th

Along with Assad Vala, these two were PNG’s top run-scorer in the tournament. They combined scored 391 runs and did most of the work for the team. Their batting has lead PNG to the final, and similar performances is expected from their fans.  

Top Ranked Bowler

Norman Vanua – 70th

Joint second-best bowler for PNG in the WCQ with ten wickets coming at an economy of under six. He, along with three other bowling teammates, showed some good performances, with all of them taking ten and over wickets. PNG’s bowling has been successful, and this same success, in the form of N Vanua, will be required. 

Schedule

October 17 – vs Oman

October 19 – vs Scotland

October 21 – vs Bangladesh

SCOTLAND

T20I Rankings: 14th

Best result in T20 WC: First Round, (2007, 2009, 2016) ICC T20 World Cups

What can we expect: Group Stage (Super 12s)

Overview

Scotland has not had a fair share of moments of the tournament as an associate team. Only three appearances so far, they have only managed to finish in the first round. They are expected to overcome this and qualify for the next round of the tournament along with Bangladesh. 

Top Ranked Batter

George Munsey – 22nd

George Munsey was Scotland’s highest run-scorer in the Qualifier. He struck at 141 and averaged almost 30. He played one of the key roles in helping Scotland qualifying for the main tournament. Familiar with the conditions, he will have to replay his role and give Scotland a push for the next round. 

Top Ranked Bowler

Mark Watt – 15th

Scotland’s second-best bowler in the qualifier tournament, Watt, had a better economy and average as compared to his teammate. An economy under six, he took 12 opposition wickets for Scotland. His role with his teammates will be vital for their side. 

Schedule

October 17 – vs Bangladesh

October 19 – vs Papua New Guinea

October 21 – vs Oman

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