World T20 2012 Predictions

20 days long in duration of international cricket’s biggest Twenty20 extravaganza.

27 matches are scheduled to take place at Colombo, Pallekele and Hambantota.

12 teams are competing for the crown, 10 test playing nations along with Afghanistan and Ireland.
180 players in total are at the event.

None of the previous 3 winners will retain or regain crown. We will have a new 4^th winner which is a plus side for the competition if it does happen.

I feel MJs Sri Lanka will go all the way in the men’s edition on home territory.

Charlotte Edwards England side will win the women’s equivalent which runs parallel with the men.

South Africa and New Zealand/West Indies will both reach the semi-final stage and possibly beyond.

The final semi-final place will belong to one of India or Pakistan.

Pakistan is a tough one to call. They are the most consistent Twenty20 side in this competition over the previous 3 editions, they have some experienced names both in terms of past exposure to this tournament and playing this format all over the world, favourable and familiar conditions and decent preparation to top it off, but given the group of death they have been seeded in I wouldn’t be surprised if they are eliminated at the super 8s, but if they do happen to come through that it’s just a case of delivering on the day. They are one of the contenders that can go all the way if they get through, but I wouldn’t bank on them. Pakistan will become the first side to win this world competition twice, but I don’t feel 2012 will be the year for that. Maybe they will have to wait for 2014 in Bangladesh for that to happen.

Most likely to win

1)      Sri Lanka

2)      New Zealand/West Indies

3)      Pakistan

4)      South Africa

5)      India/England

6)      Australia

 In the initial preliminary pool we are most likely to have an upset in Pakistan’s group, ‘Group D’ where Bangladesh and New Zealand will play in Pallekele along with Pakistan. Group ‘B’ where Ireland will play Australia and West Indies is another one that could potentially cause an upset.

 Final Prediction in terms of Likelihood

1)      Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand

2)      Pakistan vs. New Zealand

3)      Sri Lanka vs. West Indies

4)      Sri Lanka vs. South Africa

5)      South Africa vs. India

Predictions

Initial Pools

Group A

1) England
2) India
3) Afghanistan

Group B

1) West Indies
2) Australia
3) Ireland

Group C

1) Sri Lanka
2) South Africa
3) Zimbabwe

Group D

1) Pakistan
2) New Zealand
3) Zimbabwe

Super 8s

Group E

1) Sri Lanka
2) New Zealand
3) West Indies
4) England

Group F

1) South Africa
2) Pakistan
3) India
4) Australia

Semi Finals

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan = Sri Lanka
New Zealand vs South Africa = New Zealand

Final

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand = Sri Lanka

Leading run scorer = Kumar Sangakkara
Leading wicket taker = Lasith Malinga
Player of the tournament = Kumar Sangakkara
Most catches = MJ