The T20 World Cup is shaping up to be an open affair with conditions in the UAE likely to act as a leveller.
England and India will the favourites ahead of the tournament, just as it was in the ODI World Cup two years ago, but there are several teams with the quality to win the tournament.
Australia have the gamebreakers to win any one-off contest but their propensity towards collapsing in a heap in pressure run chases might hamstring them at the big dance.
New Zealand notched their maiden ICC trophy win when they claimed the Test Championship earlier this year and how they would love to complete a double. The Black Caps have a handy squad bolstered by the emergence of Devon Conway and Kyle Jamieson.
India have everything they need to win the T20 World Cup thanks to the Indian Premier League, not only has the IPL given them enormous depth but it has also exposed a large pool of players to high pressure situations and conditions in the UAE, which staged the 2020 edition of the T20 showpiece.
England have a scary top order and one the best T20 attacks in the world, but will need to adjust to the slower surfaces in the Emirates if they are to challenge. They are a confident side but they are also vulnerable to an upset.
The defending champions, the West Indies have blown hot and cold but with a slew of matchwinning veterans at their disposal they will once again be a dangerous presence.
South Africa have a bowling attack that makes up for what they lack in the batting division but that might not be enough to end the Proteas long wait for an ICC trophy.
Pakistan are in a similar place to the West Indies and South Africa but they will take heart from the venue being shifted to the UAE as well. Expectations will be high for the Babar Azam-led team.
Afghanistan will be boosted by going straight into the Super 12s phase of the competition, which cements their status as a top eight side. They also have great familiarity with the venue and with Rashid Khan in their ranks will be the dark horses of the competition.
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will have to play in the preliminary round, but that could work in the Asian sides’ favour, as they could build confidence and form against the associate member teams.
Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Namibia, Oman and Papua New Guinea and Bangladesh will play for four spots in the Super 12s.
It really is tough to pick a winner of the 2021 T20 World Cup.
