For COVID19 global impacts ICC T20 World Cup 2020 scheduled for staging in Australia was postponed for 2022. Some critics would argue that powerful BCCI for paving the way for IPL 2021 influenced ICC taking that decision. But for massive Corona contamination devastating India IPL 2021 was also suspended at some stage. Even IPL 2021, which was due to be staged in India, had to move to UAE and Oman. The remaining matches of IPL 2021 would now be held in UAE before the commencement of ICC T20 world Cup. 

Eight teams earning rights for playing directly in the World Cup for their ICC Ranking have been divided into two groups. Four teams qualifying from preliminary rounds would join the above 8 in super 12 competitions.

The Groups are 
Preliminary Groups 
A: Ireland, Namibia, Netherlands and Sri Lanka, 
B. Scotland, Papua New Guinea, Oman and Bangladesh. 
Though T20 is more unpredictable than any formats yet let us assume that Sri Lanka and Ireland from Group A and Bangladesh and Scotland from Group B advance to Super 12. That would make setting the two groups of Super 12 easy. 

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The Groups of Super 12 

Some persons tend to term Group 2 as the group of death as New Zealand, Pakistan and India are all stuffed with quality aggressive T20 players, even Afghanistan has several match winners. Bangladesh even on their day can surprise any team. But think of flamboyant West Indies, very strong England, never to be ignored Australia and not always chokers South Africa. Srilankans are also never to be ignored. Two groups are evenly balanced. I do not think never before T20 world cup has been such a wide-open tournament. 

T20 is an instant cricket. One bad //good as it applies to two teams can change the course of a match between two evenly matched teams. Sensing that the wickets may favor spin major contenders have included quality spinners in the team including leg spinners. But then who are the contenders? Who would dare figuring them out? 

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Defending champions West Indies looks formidable yet again. They have brought back all their champion rock roll big hitters back again into the team including Universe boss. It would not be easy getting past them by any team not even England, Australia and South Africa.  In business as usual West Indies and England should move up from this group unless West Indies for some reason crumble like cookies getting two adventurous. I do not think Australia or South Africa have enough weapons to win against either West Indies or England. West Indies should finish on top accompanies by England. 

UAE for years happened to be the home away from the home for Pakistan. Certainly they would enjoy playing there . Indians play IPL there occasionally and would play again soon. What a spectacle it would be when India plays Pakistan. It will be a dream coming true if both teams manage going to the final. But for doing that they must have to get across New Zealand, a very competent team in all formats now. I do not think Afghans can go through although they would certainly create some upsets. The team(s) they topple would be eliminated for sure. Bangladesh similarly would win one or few matches but can not go through with many new comers in their team and not really prepared for the wickets and condition. India would definitely go through and either Pakistan or New Zealand would accompany India. 

If my assessment gets right the semi final line up would be 

Semifinals 

I would predict West Indies and England advancing to the final and West Indies achieving hat trick of T20 World Cup win. I would explain in another episode to justify my assessment in details.

BDST: 1346 HRS, SEP 15, 2021
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