DUBAI: The ICC T20 World Cup is underway in the UAE with currently the Super 12s matches being played between 12 teams in two Groups (Group 1 and 2). The two top teams in both group will move to the semi finals.
England and South Africa are in 1st and 2nd position in Group 1. Followed by Australia, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Bangladesh. All six teams have played 3 matches each. England are on route to a semi final position and the 2nd place is up for grabs with Australia and South Africa being strong contenders for the same. Bangladesh is not in contention for the world cup after their third consecutive loss in the Super 12s.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are in 1st and 2nd position in Group 2. Followed by Namibia, New Zealand, India and Scotland. Pakistan has booked a berth in the semi finals with wins against India, New Zealand and Afghanistan. There are 3 teams in contention for the second spot, Afghanistan, India and New Zealand.
Unlike Group 1, most teams in Group 2 has only played one or two matches (other than Pakistan). The results of the clashes fixed for today (Sunday, October 31st) would provide more clarity on who’s more likely to be in the vital second position to qualify for the semifinals.
Afghanistan will face the Namibia Eagles at 3.30 pm (IST) in Abu Dhabi while India after its loss to Pakistan in the first match will meet New Zealand at 7.30 pm (IST) at Dubai International stadium.
Out of the 45 matches scheduled 26 matches have been played up to now. 16 more matches are remaining in the Super 12s. Up to now, as per tournament statistics Sri Lankan players have contributed well although Sri Lanka lost its last 2 matches to Australia and South Africa.
• Sri Lanka’s new brilliance Charith Asalanka has hit the ‘highest score’ of 80 runs unbeaten in the tournament up to now against Bangladesh. This was in match 15, where Sri Lanka successfully chased the Bangladesh total of 171 runs and won by 5 wickets.
• Sri Lanka Vs Bangladesh match held on 24th October (match no. 15) also is the record for the ‘most runs scored in a match’ of 343 runs.
• Further Sri Lanka’s hope and pride Pathum Nissanka has the ‘most runs’ in the tournament. A collection of 169 runs.
• Bangladesh’s star bowler Shakib Al Hasan has the record for ‘Most Wickets’ in the tournament up to now with a collection of 11 wickets.
• Wanindu Hasaranga’s brilliant hat trick against South Africa is only the 3rd time a player has taken a hat-trick in T20 World Cup and the first in the Super 12s in this tournament. Wanindu picked up 3 wickets for 20 runs off the allotted 4 overs. Ireland’s Curtis Campher (4 for 26) in the Round 1 matches picked up a hat-trick against Netherland. The first hat-trick in T20 cricket was by Bret Lee in 2007 against Bangladesh.
• Sri Lanka also has the ‘most wins’ (4 wins) in the tournament since Sri Lanka won all three matches in Round 1 and then beat Bangladesh in the Super 12s. Bangladesh has the ‘most losses’ up to now (4 losses).
• After Jos Buttler’s brilliant batting against Australia, he has recorded the best batting average of 113 followed by Babar Azam at an average of 64.
- Afghanistan holds the record for the ‘highest innings score’ of 190 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. This was against Scotland in match 17 where Afghanistan bowled Scotland out for 60 runs to win by a massive 130 runs
With 19 more matches to go till the end of the tournament, there is much more to look forward to and these records may shift. However, one cannot deny that Sri Lankan players such as Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka and Wanindu Hasaranga have been successful in getting the world attention and keeping the Sri Lanka flag flying high! (RZ)
[Image credit icc-cricket.com]
