So after the round of qualifiers we are all set to begin with main draw of ICC World T20 2016. 10 team divided into two groups will battle it out in the round robin format. Two teams from both the group will qualify for the semi-finals.

ICC World T20 2016 – Group 1 Preview

Group 1 looks easier of the group than the other group. Sri Lanka, West Indies, England, South Africa and Afghanistan are placed in Group 1. Although this group seems little easy but team like England, South Africa and West Indies will be eying for top 2 place in the group which makes this group competitive as well.

West Indies
West Indies is definitely thee strongest team in this group considering T20 format. Past has shown boys from Island nation are a force to reckon with in this format. West Indies has won the title in 2012 winning the final against Sri Lanka. Return of experience players like Gayle, Bravo, Sammy and Russell will only strengthen this T20 side. Many of the West Indies players has lot of experience in playing on sub-continent conditions as they have been regular names in IPL cricket. West Indies would be missing services of Pollard and Naraine but they have enough fire power to win against the best.

Probable XI: Gayle, Charles, Samuels, Ramdin, Bravo, Russell, Sammy, Holder, Badree, Benn, Taylor

South Africa
South Africa has been in good form going into world cup. They won and ODI series and T20 series against England and lost to Australia 2-1 in closely fought T20 series. Miller have been in great form and Amla scoring 97 not out in the last match against Australia were some of the great positives from Proteas. Million Dollar boy Chris Morris would also prove crucial to South Africa’s chances as he might turn out to be the all-rounder South Africa needs. Dale Steyn is back from injury and will only strengthen South Africa’s bowling alongside Rabada and Abott. As the tournament will be held on sub-continent conditions form of Imran Tahir would prove to be turning point for Proteas, if Tahir is able to pick wickets in middle overs than South Africa are looking for confirm Semi-Final spot.

Probable XI: De Cock, Amla, Du Plessis, De Villiers, Duminy, Miller, Morris/Wiese, Steyn, Rabada, Tahir, Abbott

England
England after the disappointing loss to Bangladesh in 2015 ICC World Cup has looked totally difrent side in white ball cricket. Inclusion of players like Hales, Roy, Willey and Rashid has changed this England outfit. This England team is playing aggressive band of cricket which was missing for last few years. Morgan and team management has allowed payerd to express themselves which has given postivie results. Players like Hales, Buttler, Stokes and Morgan with their hitting abilities now has ability t post big scores and chase down scores of 180 plus. Rashid and Moeen Ali are perfroming well with the bowl which might prove crucial in sub-continent conditions. England is going into this world cup with a good one and a half years behind them and is looking strong contenders to challenge for the semi-final spot.

Probable XI: Hales, Roy, Root, Morgan, Buttler, Stokes, Moeen Ali, Jordan, Rashid, Plunkett/Willey, Topley

Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is going into this tournament as the underdogs. With the retirement of Sangakara and Jaywardene Lankans are not looking as threatening they were in the past. But they are the defending champions of World T20 and cannot be taken for lightly. They have some talented youngsters who can turn the fortune for them. Experienced players like Dilshan, Chandimal, Mathews and Malinga will be key to their success. Sri Lanka lost to New Zealand and India in the last two T20 series as well as disappointing loss to Bangladesh forced them out of the Asia Cup. World Cup would be the right platform for them to turn their fortunes as they don’t have a pressure of winning which might turn out to be in favour on Sri Lanka.

Probable XI: Dilshan, Chandimal, Thirimanne, Mathews, Kapugedera, Siriwardana, Perara, Chameera, Malinga, Herath, Senanayake/Kulasekara

Afghanistan
They are one of the most improved Associate nations in the last two years. The qualified in the main draw after beating test playing Zimbabwe. They won all the three games in qualifying stages and now would be looking to create quite a few upsets in the main draw. They have some good spinners and fast bowlers in their side which can trouble any side. Challenge for them would be playing against the experienced sides.

Probable XI: Shahzad, Zadran, Stanikzai, Naib, Shenawari, Nabi, Shafiqullah, Dawlat Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Hassan

Group 1 looks to be an exciting group where any team can qualify for the semi-finals. West Indies will play against England on 16th March to begun Group 1 fixtures. West Indies and South Africa are looking favourites to qualify but England will be pushing both the teams to the end.

Tags: Afghanistan, England, Group 1, ICC World T20, ICC World T20 2016, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies