ICC World T20 2016: 5 qualifier matches to look out for

Barely within a year since it last took place, a cricket World Cup is round the corner. This time to celebrate the game’s shortest format. As millions of fans from across the world gear up, Sportskeeda takes a look at five games from the qualifier stages that can create quite a stir.

#1 Group B - Afghanistan vs Scotland

The last time these two teams played in a World Cup, it turned out to be a thriller

Venue: Nagpur | Date: 8 March 2016 | Time: 7:30 PM (IST)

Between January 2015 and now, Afghanistan have won more than eighty-percent of the T20I games that they have played. Such numbers are hard to come by irrespective of the format or opposition.

But a world event is a completely different contest altogether, and India’s neighbours will know that complacency can cost them dear like it did in the Asia Cup qualifiers.

Up against Afghanistan will be the team from Scotland – underdogs on paper, but capable of giving a sprightly fight on any given day. The head-to-head between the two sides in T20Is and ODIs might be skewed in favor of Afghanistan, but the contest promises to be way tighter than it appears.

When these two sides last met in a World Cup, the game turned out to be a nail-biter with Afghanistan barely managing to cross the finish line with a wicket in hand, and three balls to spare.

A win for either side will set the tone for their respective campaigns, while a loss can have disastrous consequences especially considering that Zimbabwe is breathing down their necks.

#2 Group A - Bangladesh vs Netherlands

Bangladesh recently defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup to make it to the finals of the tournament

Venue: Dharamsala | Date: 9 March 2016 | Time: 3 PM (IST)

Bangladesh will arrive at Dharamsala after having bowled the world over with their performances over the last one year. A World Cup quarter-final finish, disrupting India’s subcontinental hegemony, punching way above their weight against Pakistan and South Africa, topped up with superlative performances at the recently concluded Asia Cup T20 – Mashrafe Mortaza’s young men are at the peak of their cricketing prowess.

On the other end is a mellower than before Netherlands side, devoid of a star attraction like Ryan ten Doeschate. While they do possess the likes of Peter Borren and Roelof van der Merwe in their ranks, they will desperately miss players such as Tom de Grooth and Dirk Nannes who were part of the side that pulled off a heist against England at Lord’s during the World T20 in 2009.

But there’s lot to play for in this game. The winner gets a headstart in what looks like a three-way contest between these two teams and Ireland for the pole finish.

Bangladesh start as firm favorites, unless Netherlands can spin some magic.

#3 Group A - Bangladesh vs Ireland

The Brien brothers will be key for Ireland’s chances in the World T20

Venue: Dharamsala | Date: 11 March 2016 | Time: 7:30 PM (IST)

Assuming that Bangladesh are able to see off the Dutch hurdle, their next biggest challenge will come in the form of Ireland.

The encounter at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium will see the Bangla Tigers square up against a side that has the reputation of causing upsets at will. And beating Bangladesh on current form will be no short of an upset. But will Ireland manage to pull it off?

Ireland’s strength lies in its team’s core – the Brien brothers, Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling, and Tim Murtagh, led by the wily William Porterfield can be a handful. Ask Pakistan. Ask England.

After facing Oman on 9th March, this game will be Ireland’s first real taste of action and will eventually come down to how the European team adapts to the conditions on offer in the Indian subcontinent. If Bangladesh win, there’s no stopping them from making it to the Super 10s.

#4 Group B - Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe

Afghanistan dominated Zimbabwe in two back to back T20 series

Venue: Nagpur | Date: 12 March 2016 | Time: 3 PM (IST)

In the two-match match T20I series played earlier this year, Afghanistan outplayed Zimbabwe on both occasions. While the first game was a close contest, with Afghanistan winning by just five runs, the second and final game showed why Afghanistan are the torchbearers of Associate Nations. The Asian side first posted an intimidating total of 215 runs on board, and then went on to rout Zimbabwe for just 134 runs – winning the contest by 81 runs.

The architect of that series victory was Mohammad Shahzad, and he continues to be one of Afghanistan’s major weapons. Zimbabwe’s skipper, Hamilton Masakadza though, has been around for way too long to know what exactly matters in a World Cup. As a result, this competition will come down to Zimbabwe’s hot & cold cricketing setup up against the rise and rise of Afghanistan cricket.

In context of how Group B shapes up, this is an extremely important match. The winner will most likely top Group B and proceed to the following stage.

Afghanistan’s fast bowlers versus Masakadza’s might. Don’t miss it.

#5 Group A - Ireland vs Netherlands

Netherlands vs Ireland has the potential to be one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament

Venue: Dharamsala | Date: 13 March 2016 | Time: 3 PM (IST)

By the time this match is ready to be played, the qualifiers might just be decided – making it a potential dead rubber, declared almost a week in advance.

However, if either of these teams (or both) manage to upstage Bangladesh in Group A, then the qualifiers are all set for a riveting finish.

Two of Europe’s finest Associate teams will go head to head in India’s most picturesque cricket stadium. With a slew of fast bowlers on either side, and some really entertaining batsmen in the Ireland XI, this game might just be worth watching irrespective of whether it is of consequence or not.

When the two teams last met in a World T20 encounter (Sylhet 2014), Andrew Poynter’s half-century went in vain as Dutch opener Stephen Myburgh hit a 29-ball 63 with seven sixes, making a target of 190 in 20 overs look all too easy. The Dutch won the game with more than six overs to spare.

Expect a closer contest this time around.