SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka should never be ruled out of any ICC event, especially one on the subcontinent.
They arrive in excellent limited overs form with a squad well equipped to thrive. As ever, their bowling has the variety the format rewards. Their batting has the class and power the format needs.
Destiny might be siding with them for there can be no better farewell to Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene than to win here.
Prediction: The only problem with Sri Lanka in recent ICC events has been winning them. They get to the semis and finals but have lost all since 2007. Runners-up.
Hit: It would be entirely apt for Sangakkara, the greatest Sri Lankan batsman of the modern era, possibly ever, to stamp his authority and win a world title for his country. It is proof of his quality how well he has lately adapted to the format.
Miss: Tillakaratne Dilshan is a format legend and he was awesome in taking Sri Lanka to the 2009 World T20 final. He will again be instrumental to their chances but it is gearing up to be the kind of tournament that calls time on a wonderful career.
ENGLAND
England on the subcontinent in a global limited overs tournament? That usually does not end well does it? The 2010 champions have an interesting and newish squad.
But as their series loss to the West Indies last week showed, they lack some intrinsic Twenty20 nous. They do not possess the power hitting of other sides, or the death bowling. They may be further hampered by slowish pitches.
Prediction: Fortunately, they are in the easier group. Sri Lanka should beat them but they can take points off South Africa and a qualifier, which leaves New Zealand as the key game. Group stage.
Hit: Chris Jordan has something about him. He has good pace and an even better, reversing yorker. On a good day he can biff the ball pretty hard if needed. Altogether he may just have that something that England need.
Miss: Rarely an England Twenty20 international goes by without some snide joke about Jade Dernbach. The problem for England is that he does not do enough to make them redundant.
Sometimes he tries too many things and an economy rate of 8.52 is not encouraging.
SOUTH AFRICA
Most of us know the drill by now. Big tournament, fancied side, smooth progress through the group stages and then the “c” word is mentioned at the end.
The exception here is that South Africa do not enter as favourites, but they do with some decent recent form.
They lost a rain-curtailed series to Australia but beat both Pakistan and Sri Lanka late last year in the region.
Prediction: Less expectations may not help them much this time. But they will be competitive enough to duel with New Zealand for a place in the last four. Group stage.
Hit: With so many stalwarts gone, AB de Villiers is suddenly the new main man for South Africa. It is handy that he is, possibly, the most gifted player they have, the best cross-format batsman in the world right now.
Miss: South Africa might play spin better than ever but they also need a good spinner to boost their chances.
Imran Tahir, unfortunately, is not that man. He is more likely to do well in limited overs matches, but against quality batting sides, he will be a liability.
NEW ZEALAND
It could be time, finally, for New Zealand to win a major tournament. For years they have punched above their weight to go deeper than they should at ICC events.
This time they arrive in rude health, with some good home form behind them. Brendon McCullum is proving his worth as a leader and they have a side that should do well in the format.
Prediction: If New Zealand do not make it to the knockout stages of the tournament it is usually a surprise. From this group they should be able to negotiate a path to the last four. Beyond that looks difficult. Semi-final.
Hit: No player has lit the public imagination in the past few months like Corey Anderson. He is a monster hitter in monstrous form (ODI strike rate 159.39, Twenty20 strike rate 132.25). His explosiveness will be absolutely vital.
Miss: Mitchell McClenaghan is a fine, bustling pacer, especially in helpful conditions. But the suspicion is that he remains better equipped for conditions that are not subcontinental.
In this environment fast bowlers that are one dimensional can go for runs.
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
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