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The Men’s 2022 ICC T20 World Cup is a day away from the beginning. Once again, 16 teams will compete in the tournament’s first round, which will initiate on October 16 before concluding on November 13. We look at the T20 World Cup 2022 Round 1 teams from the first round of the competition and see who has the best shot of making it into the Super 12 round.
Like last year, eight teams are divided into two groups of four. The top two teams from each group will progress to the next stage. 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.
Let’s take a look.
T20 World Cup 2022 Round 1: Group A Preview
NAMIBIA
- T20I Rankings: 14th
- Best result in T20 WC: Super 12s, 2021 ICC T20 World Cup
- What can we expect: Group Stage (Super 12s)
Overview
Namibia surprised everybody in the last tournament after they won over the Netherlands and Ireland. They were debuting in the shortest tournament of the ICC and they made it to the Super 12 round. They won against Scotland as their only win in the second round.
Gerhard Erasmus-led side will be looking to once again go through to the next round in unfamiliar conditions.
Schedule
October 16 – vs Sri Lanka
October 18 – vs Netherlands
October 20 – vs UAE
NETHERLANDS
- T20I Rankings: 18th
- Best result in T20 WC: Super 10s, 2014 ICC T20 World Cup
- What can we expect: Group Stage (Round 1)
Overview
The Netherlands were eliminated in the first round of the last tournament after they were defeated by Sri Lanka and a surprise defeat by Namibia. The only time they went to the second round was in 2014, after they battled Ireland in a game where they chased down 191 in just under 14 overs. Looking to break the first-round stand, they will need to play better cricket.
Schedule
October 16 – vs UAE
October 18 – vs Namibia
October 20 – vs Sri Lanka
SRI LANKA
- T20I Rankings: 8th
- Best result in T20 WC: CHAMPIONS, 2014 ICC T20 World Cup
- What can we expect: Group Stage (Super 12s)
Overview
Since the retirement of their greats, the 2014 Champions Sri Lanka found it difficult to cope with top teams. However, they recently rose through games and won some memorable matches. They recently were crown champions of the 2022 Asia Cup after defeating Pakistan in the final.
In the 2021 November rankings, Sri Lanka were outside of the top eight ranks, resulting in them being slotted in the first round. They will be looking to clear this round first before taking on the bigger boys in the next stage.
Schedule
October 16 – vs Namibia
October 18 – vs UAE
October 20 – vs Netherlands
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
- T20I Rankings: 13th
- Best result in T20 WC: Round 1, 2014 ICC T20 World Cup
- What can we expect: Group Stage (Round 1)
Overview
The UAE returns to the T20 World Cup after eight years. They last appeared in the 2014 edition where they were crashed out of the tournament in the first round. They played the 2021-22 qualifiers and qualified for their second tournament.
Schedule
October 16 – vs Netherlands
October 18 – vs Sri Lanka
October 20 – vs Namibia
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2022: Groupings, Schedule, Dates, and Timings
T20 World Cup 2022 Round 1: Group B 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 qualified for the second round in their first ever T20 WC in 2009. But since then, they have been failing to go past through the first stage. They had chances, including in the last tournament. But they eventually fall short to get through.
Now into their seventh competition, Ireland will be looking to break this jinx and join the big boys.
Schedule
October 17 – vs Zimbabwe
October 19 – vs Scotland
October 21 – vs West Indies
SCOTLAND
- T20I Rankings: 15th
- Best result in T20 WC: Super 12s, 2021 ICC T20 World Cup
- What can we expect: Group Stage (Round 1)
Overview
Scotland are one of the few teams who show intent of making it big but always come closer. They will be coming to Australia to compete and qualify again to the Super 12s. Last tournament, they reached the next stage for the first time but failed to win a single match.
Schedule
October 17 – vs West Indies
October 19 – vs Zimbabwe
October 21 – vs Ireland
WEST INDIES
- T20I Rankings: 7th
- Best result in T20 WC: CHAMPIONS, 2012 and 2016 ICC T20 World Cup
- What can we expect: Group Stage (Super 12s)
Overview
West Indies had a golden run from the 2009 edition of the competition. They were among the top four teams, reaching the knockout stage on four occasions. On top of that, they were the champions in the 2012 and the 2016 editions, being the only team to win the title twice.
Unfortunately, that golden run ended in the last tournament where they were eliminated in the first round in the 2021. It also saw Chris Gayle and DJ Bravo ended their services for the country. Now in the stage one, they will look to clear before joining with the top teams.
Schedule
October 17 – vs Scotland
October 19 – vs Zimbabwe
October 21 – vs Ireland
ZIMBABWE
- T20I Rankings: 11th
- Best result in T20 WC: Round 1, (2007, 2010-2016) ICC T20 World Cups
- What can we expect: Group Stage (Round 1)
Overview
Zimbabwe also returns to the T20 WC after missing out in the last edition due to their administrative hassles in the 2019 Qualifiers. In all of the tournaments they have played, they never reached the second stage. They will be looking to upset teams and go through.
Schedule
October 17 – vs Ireland
October 19 – vs West Indies
October 21 – vs Scotland
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