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Group 2 in the T20 World Cup consists of three of the top four ranked countries in the format.
With only two sides able to progress to the semi-finals, here are some players who can make a difference for their country.
Devon Conway – New Zealand
The 30-year-old is a left-handed batsman who usually comes in at number three or four in the batting order. Born in South Africa, Conway made his debut for New Zealand in November 2020 after being cleared to play for the Black Caps by the ICC.
Conway’s record in T20I is very impressive as he averages a score of 59.12 and a batting strike rate of just over 151. He is yet to hit a century in this format for his country but has reached the half-century mark four times, including a 99 and not out against Australia.
This will be his first international tournament in the short format but he has had an excellent year so far. Conway has become an important part of the Kiwis’ set-up in all three formats and was even named ICC Men’s Player of the Month in June.
Ravindra Jadeja – India
To put it simply, Jadeja is one the best all-rounders in the game. His ability to get quickfire runs at the end of the innings and get important wickets in difficult situations is unmatched.
The 32-year-old bowls slow left-arm orthodox and bats in the middle-order. He will rarely produce a mammoth score with the bat or take a five-wicket haul but he is often the game-changer whether it’s with the bat, ball or producing a breath-taking piece of fielding.
Jadeja showed his skill against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in this year’s Indian Premier League season as he hit 37 runs off the final over and claimed three wickets from four overs to win the game and the Player of the Match award. The Super Kings went on to win the tournament and Jadeja has a brilliant relationship with fellow World Cup teammates Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammed Shami.
Babar Azam- Pakistan
Azam is not only Pakistan’s captain for this tournament but he is also ranked at number two in the T20I batting rankings. Since making his international T20 debut against England in 2016, Azam has put up very respectable numbers.
He was the second-highest T20I scorer in 2017 and was the leading scorer in the format for Pakistan in 2019. The right-handed batsman has achieved 20 half-centuries for his country and managed his only century against South Africa as he hit 122 off just 59 deliveries in one of the greatest batting innings ever.
The 27-year-old’s first task in the tournament will be to lead his side out against India in their opening game. Pakistan have only won once in their last five meetings against India but the rise of Azam will give them far more confidence going into the game.
Rashid Khan – Afghanistan
Khan made his T20I debut at the tender age of 17 and the now 23-year-old has developed into one of the most dangerous bowlers in world cricket.
The leg-spinner has taken 95 wickets in 51 games for Afghanistan including three four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls. His bowling figures get even better with an economy rate of 6.21 and a bowling strike rate of just over 12. His best figures in a game occurred against Ireland as he took five wickets for just three runs.
Khan was the fifth-youngest captain in the format’s history when he led his team out at the age of 20. He also holds the record for most consecutive four-wickets in an innings (two), most wickets taken by LBW (19) and was the third-fastest bowler to take 50 wickets in T20I.
Richie Berrington – Scotland
Berrington has been one of the ever-presents in the Scottish line-up as he holds the record for the most consecutive matches with 64.
He has scored 1620 runs for his country in T20I with his best score coming against Bangladesh in 2012 as he hit 100 runs off 58 balls. His batting average for Scotland in this format is 33.06 with a decent strike rate of 128.
The 34-year-old played a pivotal role in helping Scotland qualify for the tournament as they won all three qualifying matches to top their group. Berrington got the Man of the Match award against Papua New Guinea as he scored 70 runs and then helped his team get over the line against Oman scoring 31 and not out.
Despite not being favourites to qualify from the group, Scotland proved they can cause a shock as they beat Bangladesh in their first-round group.
Gerhard Erasmus – Namibia
Erasmus will lead his country in the Super 12 stage at the T20 World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history as they beat Ireland to qualify for the next round.
The right-handed batsman has played 24 times in T20I for Namibia and averages a score of 33.76 and a healthy strike rate of 139. He has hit five 50’s with a high score of 72 alongside being a part-time bowler with an economy rate of 5.3 but is not likely to bowl in the bigger games.
As the lowest-ranked nation in the Super 12, Erasmus will have his work cut out but will be helped by the experience of teammate and former South African international David Wiese. Whatever the outcome, Erasmus will be part of a Namibian team that makes history and will hope he and his teammates can make a name for themselves.
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