Sri Lanka will face Zimbabwe in the opening match of ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2012

ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2012 is going to start with the match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe on September 18. This match will take place at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota. This match will kick off at 14:00 GMT and 19:30 local time.

There is no doubt that Sri Lanka will be tagged as the most favorite team. Compared to their opponent team, they are very strong and have the highest possibility of winning the match. Sri Lanka is the host nation. They will obviously get home advantage and support from the crowd.

Sri Lankan cricket team looks much balanced. They have strong bowling and batting line-up. They are also thought to be one of the strongest teams who have the possibility to claim the trophy.

It is true that Zimbabwe is a weak minnow and beating Sri Lanka in the group stage is just dream for them. If they can beat their strong opponent then it will be a big upset in the shortest format of cricket tournament.

Zimbabwe is now much better team compared to past. They are considered an under-dog team. They can make upset against any big team in their day. They lost to Bangladesh by five wickets in their warm-up match. They should try to get some lesson from their defeat.

Indian Squad for T20 World Cup Cricket 2012

Indian is one of the most favorite cricket teams to have claiming the Twenty20 World Cup 2012 trophy starting in Sri Lanka on September 18. The South Asian cricket power is also determined to regain their trophy in the fourth edition of the T20 cricket tournament. Keeping in mind about the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup, Indian selectors have declared the list of 15 players. This squad is the combination of young and experienced players.

Indian cricket teams will be happy to see the inclusion of hard hitter middle order batsman Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj Singh, who was announced Man of the tournament of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, has made his return to the international cricket with the second T20 match against New Zealand at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on 11 September 2012. Though India lost the match by 1 run, Yuvraj Singh played very well. He bowling just two overs gave 14 runs and with the bat, he scored 26-ball 34.

It was his first international match in ten months. His performance in the T20 match proves that he is totally fit and his fans once again will see his aggressive playing style. It will inspire other team members to do well in the tournament.

Out of 15 players only Gautam Gambhir, MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan were part of the Indian squad that won the maiden T20 World Cup held in  Johannesburg in 2007.

Fans should be surprised to see the inclusion of Rohit Sharma and Harbhajan Singh. These two players are out of their form. Despite their poor form in both domestic and international circuit, they have been given another chance thinking that their experience will help the team.

Selectors could have selected young players like Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma in the place of Rohit Sharma.

Spin is the main strength of the Indian cricket team. They have included two more spinners alongside Harbhajan Singh. Other two spinners are Ravichandran Ashwin and Piyush Chawla. Fans should agree with me that the inclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin was the right decision. The right-arm off-spin bowler is in good form. He is continuously playing well. His performance in the recently concluded home series was excellent. There is no doubt that Piyush Chawla’s selection should raise question to the cricket lovers. It is thought that he has been added to bring some variety in the bowling line-up.

India’s pace bowling line-up looks much stronger with the inclusion of Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan, and Lakshmipathy Balaji. He is now happy to be selected in the main squad. He last played for India against New Zealand in the second T20 match on September 11.

Batting is always India’s main strength. They have batsmen like Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, and Manoj Tiwary. MS Dhoni is the captain of India’s T20 cricket team while Gambhir is announced as his deputy. It is going to be a big challenge for Dhoni. He is now eyeing for third ICC World Cup trophy under his captaincy.

Overall Indian cricket team looks much balanced and strong. There is no doubt that opponents will have to face tough challenge against them.

Indian squad for T20 World Cup 2012: MS Dhoni, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Manoj Tiwary, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashok Dinda, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan, Yuvraj Singh.

Bangladesh announces squad for T20 World Cup 2012

On 16 August 2012 (Thursday), Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced their 15-member final squad for the coming T20 World Cup 2012. The fourth edition of the ICC World Twenty20 will be held in Sri Lanka. It will kick off from 18^th September with the match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

National team selectors lead by Akram Khan have brought just one change in the squad that toured Europe last month. Selectors have recalled Farhad Reza to replace Nazmul Hossain.

The Rajshahi pace bowling all-rounder Farhad Reza has made his place in the squad due to Nazmul Hossain’s bad performance in Europe tour. He played two matches and remained wicketless.

According to Chief selector Akram Khan, Farhad’s all-round abilities have helped him to be selected for the respected tournament. He said, “We made one change to the squad that toured Europe by bringing in Farhad in place of Nazmul. Farhad gives us a batting option down the order apart along with his role as a seamer.”

Farhad Reza’s all-rounder role will be effective for the team. He can bat down the order and bowl as a seamer.

Bangladesh Squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (Capt.), Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful, Jahurul Islam, Mashrafe Mortaza, Nasir Hossain, Ziaur Rahman, Abdur Razzak, Shafiul Islam, Elias Sunny, Farhad Reza, Abul Hasan.