By Mikey Godsmark
After an exciting opening day with the favourites for the
group Afghanistan and Zimbabwe both winning comfortably, I preview Day Two of
ICC World T20 2016. Let’s just hope there’s more than one tune to play after
boundaries.
Bangladesh
v Netherlands
After reaching the final of the Asia Cup on home soil,
Bangladesh will be looking to avoid any banana skin against the best associate
team in World T20s: Netherlands. It looks like Bangladesh have finally
assembled a squad that can master this tournament. Their bowling line up looks
to be a lot better all round, no longer relying on Shakib solely to take
wickets. In the batting department Sabbir Rahman had a solid tournament whilst Mahmudullah
averaged 121 and bludgeoned his way too many important latter order 20s and
30s. They must progress to fulfil absolute minimum expectations.
Netherlands emerged joint winners after their World T20
Qualifier Final was rained off. It will be interesting to see how well they
adapt to sub-continental conditions, with the bowlers who took wickets at the
qualifiers being for the most part seamers especially Mudassar Bukhari. Pieter
Seelaar will be vital to the Netherlands with his slow left arm bowling having
been no more than solid two years ago. However, the skiddy bowling of the
Netherlands attack may be to their advantage as from what we have seen so far
the wickets look to be quite slow. Despite this they will take time to adapt
and since 2014 have had very little experience against higher class opposition
through no fault of their own.
Verdict: Tight
All the Way but Bangladesh Win
Ireland v
Oman
Oman were without doubt the surprise package of the qualifiers.
It was great to see them actually get there in the first place, but with no
experience on seamers pitches they were not expected to progress. After a
stunning win against Namibia which confirmed their place at the tournament
there was joy from the Omanis and despair from the Namibians, for anyone who
says associate cricket is rubbish I recommend they watch the highlights on YouTube.
On the field, the conditions may suit them more and Aamir Kaleem will be
definitely worth keeping an eye out for. The left arm spinner is Oman’s leading
wicket in T20s and on top of with is a frequent utiliser of the Mankad.
Ireland have been dominant in rennet years in the
Intercontinental Cup, the first-class tournament for associates, however they
have been unable to replicate this form in T20s and actually sit just 15th
in the T20I rankings which is below Hong Kong. Kevin O’Brien and John Mooney
both were key in qualifiers for the hosts and without having an attack that
could smash their way to a 180 on a regular basis, bowling well and restricting
the opposition will be key. With the bat William Porterfield will be the anchor
but as he is a run a ball type of man, others will need to the big hitting.
This shouldn’t be a problem tomorrow as Oman should, in the end, fall short.
Verdict:
Ireland Win at a Canter
Comments
Post a Comment