Story Go Tigers Go - A Bangladesh Story! | ICC Cricket World Cup 2011

[Gaurav_7]

Group A​

Defending Champs Pakistan, Ninth and Eighth seeded Australia and Bangladesh are placed in Group A of the ICC World Twenty20. Australia's poor run in the last T20 World Cup is the reason for such a low seeding. This group may well be the 'Group of Death' as Bangladesh don't seem to be 'minnows' anymore. We may well see a few upsets here, you never Know.

Pakistan
​

Most successful T20 outfit, Pakistan are a team to beat. They are the defending champions and are lead by an aggressive man. We all know his eating oops I mean hitting capabilities. Having reached the finals in both occasions previously and winning one, Pakistan team is certainly will like to maintain their consistency this time as well.

Pakistan comes into this tournament with a dreadful tour of Australia behind their back. None of the players have played in recent and most controversial IPL leaving them short of match practice. We all know how unpredictable Pakistani side is and how dangerous they can be with their backs to the wall. They are like a wounded tiger at this stage and we all know what to expect and what not.

Likes of Afridi, Akmal brothers, Misbah, Ajmal, Aamer, Gul and others make this team look a solid outfit. Caribbean conditions seem no problem for the Pakistanis but what is a big and challenging problem for them is the mood inside the dressing room. It will be interesting to see how soon they will be able to play as team. With all the controversies, if they can come out on top kudos to them.

Squad

Bangladesh​

Bangladesh in the past have caused a few remarkable upsets in the cricketing fraternity. But, they need to build up their bits and pieces performance. The only team they have dominated so far is Zimbabwe. This T20 World Cup presents them an excellent opportunity to once again prove themselves by going into the latter stages of the tournament.

The team is filled with raw talent who still need to come good at a bigger stage. Opener Tamim Iqbal will hold the key at the start of the innings. Bangla fans will expect their most beloved cricketer Mohd. Ashraful to come to the party along with Aftab Ahmed, Shakib Al Hasan and others. Mahmudullah and Naeem Islam may well provide the much needed finish to the innings later on.

Mashrafe Mortaza's return will help Bangladesh's fast-bowling attack. Shakib Al Hasan and Abdur Razzak will hold the key during the middle phase of the innings. Will be interesting to see how far ahead Bangladesh can go in this edition of ICC World Twenty20.

Squad

Australia​

Having lost all their games in the last World Twenty20 and not even making it to the super eights, Australia have a chance to show the world they're not a mediocre side in T20s. It is a fairly young side this time led by Michael Clarke. Selectors seem to believe in the T20 specialists now, seeing a very poor performance by the team in England last year. Brett Lee's injury has made way for Ryan Harris to come into the team.

The middle-order looks formidable with Clarke, Dussey and Haddin. They have arguably the most explosive opening pair in the tournament in David Warner and Shane Watson. Bowling attack seems firm with Mitch Johnson and Dirk Nannes along with Nathan Hauritz heading the spin department.

Australia begin their T20 campaign against Pakistan on 2nd May. They will look to start off on a winning note to seal the deal early itself and making it to the next stage.

Squad

Group A Fixtures​

Some of the pics taken from official T20 WC site and wikipedia.​

Updates -

Bangla Tigers - A Glory OR A Hole?

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Brilliant update User, great preview of Group A. Bangladesh in very tough group but I can sense they are going upset someone.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

:hpraise:hpraise

Wonderful Presentation!!!

Awesome Work Buddy!!

Bangladesh Must Win Atleast 1 Of Group Standing and 2 Of Semi's

 

[Aussie Team]

Just Brilliant, Mate..
Bangladesh will be going to Super 8 stage..
Excellent Presentation!

 

[McLOVIN]

BRING IT!​

I liked this read. It was neat. And you focused on every team and groups.

 

[Gaurav_7]

Group B​

After missing out the last T20 World Cup in England, Zimbabwe are in the mix of things once again. They have been placed in Group B along with second and seventh seeded Sri Lanka and New Zealand respectively. All the Group B matches will be at the Providence stadium in Guyana.

Sri Lanka​

Narrowly missing the trophy last time round, Lankans will dearly want to go one step further this time. They start off against New Zealand in the very first match of the competition. Sri Lanka is one of the most balanced team on paper with the trio of Dilshan, Jayawardene and Sangakkara leading the batting. Mahela and Sangakkara's IPL team though had a tournament to forget but the two Srilankans will be satisfied with their individual performances, especially Jayawardene.

Bowling attack is one of the best. Muttiah Muralitharan's Smiling Assasin along with Ajantha Mendis' ability to play carrom on the cricket field, spin attack looks deadly dangerous. Lasith Malinga's accuracy to hit the block hole consistently in the death overs makes Sri Lanka a cut above the rest.

Squad

New Zealand​

Whenever we talk about World Cricket and any global event in Cricket, the Blackcaps come into the mind as the dark horses. Semi-final has been the best achievement so far for the Kiwis when it comes to World Cup of any nature. This time though, they will look to set the record straight by going better than they did in any previous editions.

The Kiwi batting boasts of some fearless hitters in McCullum, Ryder and Taylor. Martin Guptill provides the much needed stability. With the likes of Jacob Oram coming in at the latter stage of the innings, NZ will look to have a solid finish almost always. Lead by an inspirational leader in Daniel Vettori, this New Zealand side will look to stamp their authority early in this tournament.

Bowling spearheads, the 007 man and Dan 'the man' will look to put breaks on the opposition by taking wickets at regular intervals. Young guns like Tim Southee and Ian Butler will like to cement their place in the Playing XI by solid performances. Kyle Mills will look to carry on with his good bowling form.

Squad

Zimbabwe​

Zimbabwe have struggled in World Cricket since the big names like Andy Flower, Grant Flower and others retired from the International Cricket. The political and economic instability back home didn't help their cause either. But, still it's the matter of just 40 overs. If we look back at the T20 WC in South Africa, we remember one of the upsets where Zimbabwe held themselves together to beat Aussies by 5 wickets. They need to put their act together this time if they have to leave a mark behind.

Brendan Taylor, Elton Chigumbura and the skipper Prosper Utseya hold key if Zimbabwe have any chances of making it to the next stage. It is going to be a daunting task though with oppositions like Sri Lanka and New Zealand in their way.

Squad

Group B Fixtures​

Some of the pics taken from official T20 WC site and wikipedia.​

Day 1

 

[McLOVIN]

wait so you are doing that for all the groups? thats lota work

 

[Gaurav_7]

Only two more to go, Mc. I have a good time at my hands and I think World Twenty20 needs this thing. Don't worry, the matches will be faster as it's just 20 overs.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Another great preview of a group. New Zealand and Sri Lanka are surely the favourites but cant forget Zimbabwe shocked the Aussies in the first edition and they could do the same here.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

Awesome presentation love reading each part..,

 

[Aditya]

I am liking this style User2010. Writing is excellent as usual,This is how a story should be. A story should tell everything about the tournament/series which will take place to the reader. By started any world cup without any information would have been so poor,But you have explained it perfectly. So well done User2010.

Zimbabwe are ready for some upsets now,Better watch out Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

 

[SIX]

Very good, I am exceedingly impressed.

 

[WubbaLubbaDubDub]

Waiting For Indian Group and Some Writing About The Indians!!

 

[yashwanth kumar]

Wonderful Presentation!!! , awesome stuff just a Rocking work , cheers good going keep them coming all the best

 

[Gaurav_7]

Group C​

Group C is one of the groups where predicting the two teams who will advance to the next stage is a no-brainer. The world's two heavyweights India and South Africa along with the newbies Afghanistan complete the group. Afghanistan though have had a fantastic last few weeks to qualify for the World Twenty20 and none of the other two teams would like to take the unknowns lightly.

South Africa​

During the past few years, in any ICC event South Africa are always up there as favorites. But, the Proteas have disappointed one and all. They will look at this shortest format of the game as an opportunity to tell the world they're not 'chokers' any more. Having missed the IPL due to finger injury, Graeme Smith looks rearing to go in this one.

Greame Smith though will be racking his brain deciding about his opening partner. T20 specialist Loots Bosman or out of form Herschelle Gibbs? Or Jacques Kallis who has had a dream run in the recent IPL? Batting line-up with the likes of AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Albie Morkel and Mark Boucher looks rock solid. Smith will be hoping AB delivers right from the start as he wasn't in the best of touch in the IPL for the Delhi Daredevils.

Bowling attack looks very well too. Dale Steyn, who has been touching 150kmh speeds recently looks hungry than ever. Along side him, T20 specialist Charl Langeveldt is a misery fellow. Rusty Theron isn't rusty at all. His accuracy is spot on. Spin department sees left arm spinner Roelof Van der Merwe along with Johan Botha.

Squad​

India​

The Circus is finally over. It will be interesting to see how soon some of the Indian players realise that it is now the time to put their massive 'good for nothing' egos aside and actually concentrate on the game. Captain and Coach seem pretty confident about the team and have refused to accept IPL's fatigue and tireness.

Some might argue and keep on whining about the squad selection, but that is all past and the 15 players are selected. Murali Vijay may consider himself as one of the luckiest persons as Sehwag's shoulder injury made way for him in the squad. He will look to carry his good form in the IPL to the big stage. Batting is devastating when we look it on the paper. Still, Yuvraj Singh needs to re-create his lost magic. Gambhir and Dhoni need to set the ground on fire. Only batsman who looks in full flow is Suresh Raina. Rohit Sharma actually needs to play match winning innings. Yusuf Pathan would want to repeat something like his 37-ball hundred.

Zaheer Khan is the spearhead of the pace bowling attack. Harbhajan Singh seems to have his temper in control and is bowling beautifully. Praveen Kumar and Ashish Nehra look good but still would want to improve. Vinay Kumar and Piyush Chawla are the surprise inclusions and they would want to prove themselves to the people.

Squad

Afghanistan​

The Mystery team is what one will like to call them. No one knows about them and that is what makes them dangerous. Coach has already said that they are here for a reason. They will play like professionals and not to fill up the numbers. Proteas and Indians better not take these young Afghanis lightly or they may well prove to be heavy.

The fact that they are playing the T20 WC is itself a proud moment. Their road to this ICC World Twenty20 is nothing less than a fairytale. While eveyone would be rooting for their national sides, one's heart would surely go to the Afghanistan team to do well atleast if not cause an upset of some sort.

Squad​

Group C Fixtures​

Some of the pics taken from official T20 WC site and wikipedia.​

Day 2 -Part I