It will be a low key start to the 2016 World T20 with Hong Kong taking on Zimbabwe in the first qualifier in the central Indian city of Nagpur.
Since the tournament is split into two parts, with the main Super 10 stage involving the big teams set to start only on March 15, the week-long qualifying stage will be an opportunity for the ‘smaller’ cricketing nations to test their mettle while vying for the two qualification spots for the main stage.
The opening stage sees eight teams divided into two groups. Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands and Oman in Group A while Group B consists of Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Scotland and Zimbabwe.
It will be a tough fight but looking at the strengths of the teams and history, Bangladesh seem by far the strongest team in the qualification stage and should not feel content with anything less than a clean sweep in the opening week.
The Tigers are now at Dharamsala for the @ICC #WT20. Photos HERE: https://t.co/syccJ6oB48 #riseofthetigers #BAN pic.twitter.com/gW0Xh4pNNc
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) March 7, 2016
The Tigers had a sensational 2015 where they made it to the quarter-finals of the 50-over World Cup, registered back-to-back ODI series wins at home against Pakistan, India and South Africa and this year, made it to the final of the Asia Cup T20 tournament, where they defeated traditional heavyweights Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Even though they lost to India in the final, Mashrafe Mortaza’s team gave a good account of themselves and enter the World Twenty20 as a serious threat. But first-up for them is the qualifiers.
“We are taking a lot of positives from the Asia Cup as we have played the final which is a huge achievement. But now we have a qualifying match in the World T20. We have to qualify first and even then we will be in the ‘group of death’.
“We have to be mentally ready and ensure that this final loss does not affect us as playing in India is a tough thing,” Mortaza said after Bangladesh lost to India by eight wickets in the Asia Cup final.
While their recent record has been excellent, Mortaza knows that in a format like T20, every teams starts from scratch as fortunes can fluctuate wildly on any given day.
“We have to start from zero. We have got a team that has balance and potential. The boys have self belief. But T20 is such a format where it is very difficult to win every game,” he added.
The other team that will be looking to make its presence felt is Afghanistan. They will look to do better than the last edition where they failed to make it past the first round. But in 2014, they had Bangladesh in their group and this time, they have a better chance of qualification.
Looking forward to singing our national anthem tomorrow,#WT20 pic.twitter.com/whP1DGsPXS
— Sean Williams (@sean14williams) March 7, 2016
Zimbabwe seem the biggest threat to their hopes but the Afg-hans have some veteran campaigners in Asghar Stanikzai, Mohammad Shehzad, Mohammad Nabi, and the Zadran brothers – Dawlat and Shapoor. If they can get their act together, the Afghans should make the cut. They too start their campaign against Scotland in Nagpur.
But for now, the focus is on the first game and Hong Kong skipper Tanwir Afzal is looking forward to giving his best against the Zimbabweans.
“They (Zimbabwe) are an experienced outfit but we have a plan for them. Their statistics are with us and suitable strategies are in place. Our side is young and our World Cup experience will add to development of the game back home,” Afzal said.
So let the fireworks begin.
