2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Venue: Australia
Date: 16 October – 13 November
The 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be contested between 16 teams across seven ovals in Australia over the next month. This tournament was initially scheduled for 2020, but the Covid-19 pandemic – plus a packed cricketing schedule – pushed the event back by two years.
It is long overdue, and fans will be treated to a feast of cricket over 25 days of action. Here is a preview of four of the seeded teams (no group stage games) – South Africa, Australia, India, and Pakistan – along with the four teams in Group B that will have to finish in the top two in the group to progress to the Super 12. All odds to win the World Cup come from BetXchange.
India – 3/1
India will be without Jasprit Bumrah – he seems to miss all the big events as of late – but this is a still a team that is the favorite for a reason. The depth of T20 players – the IPL has certainly helped hone the squad – means that the options within the traveling squad of 15 are frightening. Virat Kohli seems to have found a new lease of life, with the talismanic batsman having gone 1020 days without a century before timing his resurgence for this tournament. India – along with Australia and England – seem to be the three teams that have separated from the pack.
Australia – 3/1
Australia is all over the high end betting at this tournament. They are second favorites to win it, and are also second favorites at 9/2 behind the West Indies (22/10) to hit the most sixes. This is entirely because the Windies have the benefit of three extra group stage games. Look for the Aussies to swing the bat and dominate a number of their Sup 12 games on home soil as they make a big time run at defending their T20 World Cup crown.
Pakistan – 7/1
A very interesting shout at 7/1 to win it all, Pakistan has all you need to win a T20 World Cup. The final of their tri-series against New Zealand (also involving Bangladesh) will be fascinating, with the Black Caps having split the two pool games against Pakistan. Their top batter race is also interesting, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan both priced at evens. I wouldn’t hate a dark horse bet here at all.
South Africa – 8/1
The Proteas are simmering under the radar and this is a great spot for them. There is no expectation, meaning that any wins in this tournament against the more fancied teams will come as a shock. The talent, however, is certainly there to provide those shocks and make a run at the semi-finals, at which point anything can happen. Losing all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius on the eve of the World Cup is frustrating given his ability with both bat and ball, but there are still plenty of runs in this side. If they can overcome what has seemed like issues with mental fatigue recently, then they can show up here.
West Indies 14/1
It is weied seeing the Windies in the group stages, especially when you consider Bangladesh and Afghanistan are seeded teams. This is the group team with the best odds to win the thing and there is a feeling that the Windies can do some serious damage given they essentially have three warmup games against the teams below before the action picks up. Also, at 9/2, Evin Lewis is favorite to hit the most sixes in the tournament with the expectation he will pick on the weaker bowling in Group B games.
Scotland – N/A
Scotland made the Super 12 in 2021, albeit in a group that was less loaded than this one (Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, Oman). This is their fifth T20 World Cup and continuing that momentum will be huge. One issue is their lack of T20 game time – they have played just four matches in the format since the last World Cup – something that is going to be a problem.
Ireland – N/A
Ireland has lost seven of its last ten and will be happy to get out of the group. Thier opener is against Zimbabwe, a game they must take something out of to have any chance of making the Super 12. Given they face two Full Member nations in Group B, it will not be an easy task.
Zimbabwe – N/A
Zimbabwe has to be targeting the Super 12s in Group B. This will be their first global tournament in any format in six years, meaning their World Cup record is a little irrelevant. Watch for their warmup match with Namibia before the start of the tournament to check their form. If they are on, then a couple of the bigger teams will have a problem with the African side.
