ICC World T-20: The Super 8 are here, permutations and combinations

As the eight teams line up in two groups, this world T-20 will come to life now, as Darwin’s Rule will prevail. The survival of the fittest. On paper, predicting which 4 teams will go to the semis is as achievable a task as tough as hitting a switch hit. You are bound to fail. Even if you do come around and achieve this uphill task – it is a fluke!

Group A: New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and England

Group B: India, Australia, Sri Lanka and West Indies

The real action begins!

The real trouble of prediction is in Group A (or Group E as said by the ICC). None of the four teams can be separated, not by recent form or by strength on paper. For every key player in one team there is an equivalent in the other.

The England-Pakistan clash first up, will be cracker of a game. Pakistan have the experience of Misbah-ul-Haq and the flamboyance of Shahid Afridi whereas England have the talent of Eoin Morgan and the star in Kevin Pieterson. Both teams have experienced all-rounders in Paul Collingwood and Abdur Razzaq. In the Bowling attack, both teams look depleted. Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad have Mohammed Sami and a promising Mohammed Ameer as their counterparts.

Will he do it? Shahid Afridi will need to unleash himself on the opponents if Pakistan is to go through to the Semis.

So, who do we pick? I will go with the English side as they seem to have a better mix of batting and bowling. Ravi Bopara and Collingwood can pitch in vital overs whereas Pakistan have only Shahid Afridi to do the same. Moreover, Pakistan seem to be lacking in their top order. Salman Butt has a wayward temperament and cannot be counted upon.

Similarly, in the other game of the group where New Zealand take on South Africa: there is no clear winner. That is perhaps attributed to the weak performance of South Africa in the tournament till now since on paper they seem to be the better side with the likes of Kallis, AB De-villiers and JP Duminy. With Dale Steyn running in like he always does, SA will be a tough team to beat. But, it is possible nonetheless. That is because; their top 3 are playing musical chairs. Graeme Smith and Kallis are guilty of scoring at a pace below required.

For the Wiley Kiwis, their all-rounders are the key. Jacob Oram and Daniel Vettori can exploit the conditions of the West Indian pitches. The ever so destructive Brendon Mccullum and Ross Taylor can finish the game, if they explode. We will count on the Kiwi Team and their excellent form to place our money on them in this match.

Moving on to the Group B, India and Australia will be the favorites to qualify for the semis in this group. However, when the two clash on Friday, predicting a winner is impossible. Both the teams have had an impressive campaign till now. Led by two most promising leaders in modern cricket, Michael Clarke and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the tie will arouse cricket fans all over the world.

The two most promising leaders in World Cricket will come face to face on Friday.

India has their semi-final win in 2007 to count upon when Yuvraj Singh plundered the Aussie Bowling. He will be the key this time around too. Suresh Raina’s ton is already giving nightmares to Aussie bowlers as Clarke has himself said. Australia will count on their pace battery to counter the effect of these two left handers. Mitchell Johnson and Dirk Nannes are in good form with 4 wicket hauls in the group stage.

No reward for guessing which team has our backing, India all the way!