?ICC World Twenty20 2016 - Group A Preview
Bangladesh (****preview)
Captain: Mashrafe Mortaza
Coach: Chandika Hathurusingha
Key Players:
The diminutive wicketkeeper-batsman is a classy bat with ability to play all around the wicket and he can pack a punch when required too. Known for his ability to take on bowlers during crunch situations, Mushfiqur has delivered goods more often than not. In 49 T20I matches, Mushfiqur has amassed 655 runs at an impressive strike-rate of 112.93.
A left-arm pacer who varies his offcutters with great success, Mustafizur shot to fame when he picked up successive five-wicket hauls in his first two ODIs - only the second bowler in history to do so - and helped Bangladesh secure its first bilateral series win over India. In 10 T20Is, nine ODIs and two Tests, Mustafizur averages less than 18 with the ball in all formats. Recently, he became the first Bangladesh international to be signed by Sussex for its T20 and 50-overs matches.
**Recent form:**Won 3, Lost 2
“The Bangladesh side may pose a threat in the ICC World T20 2016. They’ve got enough experience of playing in the subcontinent.” – Matthew Hayden, former Australia opener.
Captain: William Porterfield
Coach: John Bracewell
Key players:
Stirling at just 25, he has already raised a few eyebrows in England’s county circuit, and has drawn praise from the likes of Waqar Younis. While his talent has been evident in the ODI format, he has 707 runs in 34 T20Is, at a potent strike-rate of 126.92, including five half-centuries. Furthermore, he has also developed as a valuable offspinner, and more often than not, bowls his full quote of four overs.
At just 22, McBrine’s best years all lie ahead of him, though Ireland need his potential realised sooner rather than later. He bowls fine off-spin, and returned 2 for 26 against Zimbabwe in the 2014 edition of the tournament. He is also a good bat, and is particularly handy in the lower order, with a composed head to bank on in tricky situations.
Recent form: Won 3, Lost 2
"The squad has got a real balance to it, with that blend of youth and experience that every coach likes. Ireland are now regular performers on the world stage so there's no fear or intimidation factors.” – John Bracewell, the Ireland coach.
Netherlands (****preview)
Captain: Peter Borren
Coach: Anton Roux
Key players:
Stephan Myburg, with 224 runs in seven matches, was The Netherlands' second-highest run-getter in the ICC WorldT20 2014, and continues to be one of the key players in the side. A left-hand batsman and a right-arm offspinner, Myburg scored a fifty off 17 balls against Ireland, when his side needed to chase 190 in 14 overs to qualify for the Super 10 stage.
Overall, he was the third-highest run scorer in the tournament after Virat Kohli and teammate Tom Cooper, and scored three fifties at an average of 32.00 and a strike rate of 154.48.
The Australia-born Timm Van Der Gugten made his first-class debut for New South Wales in November 2011, and was called up to the Netherlands senior side the following year. He subsequently made his ODI and T20I debuts in March 2012, aged 21. A right-arm pace bowler, van der Gugten has represented the team at the ICC World T20 2014, where he bagged nine wickets in seven matches, at an impressive economy rate of 6.76.
Recent form: Won 3, Lost 1, NR 1
"I've played quite a bit of cricket, but I haven't played a lot in this setup. So in a way, I'm also a youngster in this setup. Also, a lot of the guys (in this squad) have played a lot of matches for the team, so they have the experience as well. I've just got a bit of different experience, and I'm happy to help out the team with that." Roelof van der Merwe
Captain: Sultan Ahmed
Coach: Duleep Mendis
Key players:
Jatinder Sing made his Twenty20 International debut for Oman in the fifth-place playoff of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2015, against Afghanistan. Jatinder’s biggest impact for Oman was in the World T20 qualifier match against the Netherlands which Oman won by six wickets. Jatinder scored an unbeaten 65 off 56 balls and took part in a match-winning stand of 38 with Zeeshan Maqsood, taking Oman over the line in the chase.
Jatinder’s T20I career includes 151 runs in 9 matches at a strike rate of 86.28. His overall T20 career though has 482 runs in 19 games at a slightly higher strike rate of 93.23.
Siddiqui made his Oman debut aged 28, at the ACC Twenty20 Cup in Kuwait in October 2007. He is a leg-spinning all-rounder who can also open the batting when needed, and is considered a vital cog in the Oman side along with Jatinder Singh. He made his Twenty20 International debut against Afghanistan at the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2015.
Zeeshan played a vital role in the fourth qualifying play-off against Namibia, making a good contribution in a remarkable chase that Oman won with an over to spare. He brought up his half-century off just 32 balls and booked Oman’s first-ever trip to an ICC world event.
Recent Form: Lost 4, won 1.
“It really, very frankly, exceeded my expectations because to beat Netherlands and Afghanistan, and then the all-important game against Namibia, they definitely exceeded expectations.” - Duleep Mendis, the Oman head coach.
