ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022: Preview & Predictions

The ICC Men’s T220 World Cup takes centre stage later this year, with 16 teams battling to be crowned as kings of the white-ball game.

Hosts Australia are amongst the favourites with Betway to retain the title they won in 2021, but no team has achieved that feat during the history of the tournament.

Read on as we assess the chances of some of the main contenders and predict who we think will lift the trophy on November 13.

Australia

Australia were slow to find their feet at the last tournament, with a defeat against England a particular low point in the Super 12 stage.

However, they improved enough to reach the knockout phase where they defeated Pakistan and New Zealand to clinch the trophy.

Their hopes of going back-to-back in the tournament will hinge on Glenn Maxwell’s form with the bat and whether Adam Zampa can do damage with the ball.

Having been drawn against England and New Zealand in the opening stage this year, the Aussies could have their work cut out to make it to the last four.

England

England were strongly fancied to win the 2021 T20 World Cup, but imploded in spectacular fashion against New Zealand in the semi-finals.

The Group 1 winners were on the receiving end of some power hitting by the Kiwis, who eventually secured a five-wicket victory with an over remaining.

Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer will be crucial to England’s chances as they strive to gain redemption for last year’s heartbreak.

England are amongst the favourites to set the record straight this year and they look a good bet to do just that.

India

India bombed in last year’s tournament, with a ten-wicket loss against Pakistan in the opening group game laying the foundations for their exit.

A subsequent eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand effectively sealed their fate, meaning that routine wins over Afghanistan, Namibia and Scotland counted for nothing.

Opener KL Rahul will be their go-to man this year, with the playing surfaces in Australia likely to play to his strengths.

India are fancied to reach the semi-finals, but may find it difficult to progress any further given the strength of their potential opponents at that stage.

Best of the Rest

New Zealand upset the odds to reach the 2021 final and could be extremely troublesome if their top players hit form in Australia.

Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson have the potential to cause havoc and it would be no surprise to see the Kiwis get out of the group again.

Pakistan could also make their mark, although the way they fell apart against Australia in last year’s semi-final is a cause for concern.

South Africa are another team worth monitoring, while West Indies will be keen to bounce back after a miserable showing at the last tournament.

Prediction: While seven teams have a genuine chance of lifting the trophy, the winner is likely to come from the top three in the betting.

With a point to prove after bowing out in the semi-finals in 2021, we fancy England to get the job done this year.