ICC World Cup 2019: One player from each team who might be their X-factor

The ten best cricketing nations in the world are gearing up for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. The marquee tournament will be hosted by England and the hosts, along with India, will begin the tournament as the favourites. However, no team can be taken lightly as all the teams have certain players who can win the match for their respective team on their day. It takes a special performance from a player to change the complexion of the match.

A good spell of bowling or a brisk cameo with the bat or a moment of magic in the field can prove to be the turning point of the match. There are some players who have an X-factor to their game. These players are crucial to their team's chances in the World Cup.

We will look at one player from each team who can prove to be their X-factor.

#10 Afghanistan - Rashid Khan

Afghanistan's hopes in the World Cup will be riding on Rashid Khan

Afghanistan is one of the most improved sides in the world. The team that was considered to be a minnow a few years back has graduated into a team that can beat any opposition on its day. One of the major reasons for this upswing has been the young spin sensation, Rashid Khan. The youngster has been terrific for Afghanistan in ODIs and T20s. He has also proved his mettle in different T20 leagues in the World. Be it the IPL or the BBL or the CPL, Rashid has been a player to watch out for.

The leg-spinner will be a big part of Afghanistan's World Cup campaign too. He has the ability to be effective at any stage of the match. Rashid is also an improved lower-order batsman and can play vital cameos in the latter half of the innings.

#9 West Indies - Shimron Hetmyer

Hetmyer has the ability to take WI all the way

Shimron Hetmyer shot into prominence after leading the West Indies Under 19 team to their maiden World Cup title. Even though he has been inconsistent in his young international career, he has shown flashes of brilliance in his batting.

The southpaw played attacking cricket against a strong Indian bowling unit in the ODI series played in India. West Indies will be hoping that Hetmyer does justice to his talent in the World Cup.

#8 Bangladesh - Mustafizur Rahman

Mustafizur will lead the Bangladesh pace-attack in the World Cup

Mustafizur Rahman had an extraordinary start to his career when he stunned a visiting Indian team in 2015. Since then, the left-arm seamer has established himself as the premier bowler of Bangladesh across formats, taking 73 wickets in 40 ODIs at an average of 20.56.

Bangladesh Cricket Board has ensured that Mustafizur does not play in other T20 leagues in order to keep him fresh for the World Cup.

#7 Sri Lanka - Thisara Perera

Thisara Perera has been around for a long time now but he has been highly inconsistent. However, he was exceptional with both the bat and ball in 2018. Even though the Sri Lankan is struggling to put up a decent performance, Perera has been in sensational form.

He began 2019 with a bang when he almost pulled off a miraculous victory against New Zealand by smashing 140 runs off 74 balls. The all-rounder's presence in the Sri Lankan side will make the opposition take Sri Lanka seriously.

#6 Pakistan - Fakhar Zaman

Zaman is the fastest batsman to reach 1000 ODI runs

Fakhar Zaman came into limelight after an eye-catching display in the 2017 Champions Trophy. The opener then went on to become the quickest batsman to reach 1000 ODI runs. Zaman has the ability to take the attack to the opposition and has given brisk starts to the team.

#5 Australia - Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell is one of the most explosive batsmen of World cricket. The 'Big Show', as he is famously called, has an ODI strike-rate of 121.64 which is a testimony of his power game. However, his modest average of 32.32 has often attracted criticism for playing recklessly.

Nonetheless, Maxwell can bludgeon any bowling attack in the world, making him a dangerous batsman. His athletic fielding and more than handy off-spin bowling also add to his effectivity as an ODI player.

#4 New Zealand - Trent Boult

Boult will be a handful for the opposition batsmen in England conditions

Trent Boult is among the most underrated cricketers in world Cricket. The Kiwi speedster boasts an amazing ODI record and can destroy any batting line-up in the World. Boult is a deadly bowler both with the new ball as well as with the old ball. Moreover, the conditions in England will suit his type of bowling.

#3 South Africa - Kagiso Rabada

Rabada can annihilate batting sides with his pace

Kagiso Rabada has been a revelation for South African cricket since his debut in 2015. The right-arm quick is rated highly by the cricket pundits and analysts, and he has proved his worth by delivering time and again for the Proteas. Rabada has taken 98 wickets in just 62 matches. His pace is bound to create a lot of troubles for the batsmen.

#2 England - Ben Stokes

Can Stokes handle the pressure of expectations?

One player who has contributed massively in England's resurgence in ODI cricket is Ben Stokes. Stokes is an all-rounder in the true sense as he can win matches single-handedly both with the bat and ball. His belligerent batting in the middle order, ability to bowl 10 good overs with the ball, and brilliance in the field, makes him a player to watch out for. England will be banking on him to play a major role in the quest of their maiden title.

#1 India - Hardik Pandya

Pandya's bowling has improved tremendously in the last year

In Hardik Pandya, India has found the fast-bowling all-rounder they were searching for a long time. The all-rounder was initially considered to be a batsman who can chip in with a few overs. But, with time, Pandya has grown as a bowler and is extremely crucial for the balance of the Indian team. Even though the 25-year-old hasn't really made big runs in his ODI career, but his cameos in the lower middle-order have often added some vital runs to the team's total.

He is fabulous in the field too. Recently, Pandya got into an unneeded controversy post his 'Koffee with Karan' comments and was banned by the BCCI. But he made a comeback in the series against New Zealand and looks more focused and determined.

If Pandya can perform to the best of his ability, he will be an asset for the Men in Blue in the World Cup.