Top 10 Ranked Teams: Squads for the Upcoming T20 World Cup

As the 9^th Edition of the T20 World Cup is ready to roll from June 2, it’s time to hold your breath and cheer for your favorite team while enjoying a month full of explosive cricket extravaganza! The exciting news is that this time the event has become more special with the participation of the 20 teams, the highest number of participating team number ever where each continent on earth has its representative!

Fans worldwide are eagerly waiting for a thrilling session of competition from June 2 to June 29, showcasing outstanding performances. Now, let’s see the 10 most deserving teams to crown the trophy at the end!

10. Afghanistan

Participating first time in 2010, Afghanistan cricket moved with a steady speed to become a good team, especially in the T20 format. While having top-rated and experienced all-rounders like Rashid Khan, and Mohammad Nabi, they have aggressive batters like Rahmanullah Gurbaz as well. Several players from their announced squad have performed tremendously in franchise leagues like IPL, BPL, MLC, ILCT20, etc.  

Here is the squad of Afghanistan:

• Rashid Khan (c),
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz,
• Ibrahim Zadran,
• Azmatullah Omarzai,
• Najibullah Zadran,
• Mohammad Ishaq,
• Mohammad Nabi,
• Gulbadin Naib,
• Karim Janat,
• Nangyal Kharoti,
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman,
• Noor Ahmad,
• Naveen-ul-Haq,
• Fazalhaq Farooqi,
• Fareed Ahmad Malik; 

Reserves: Saleem Safi, Hazratullah Zazai and Sediq Atal

9. Bangladesh

Well known for its most passionate fan base, Bangladesh is used to entering every major tournament with high hopes. Yet, this team has yet to show their brilliance commendably on a big stage except for some sparks, like losing at a very close margin against India in 2022. Yet, this team is believed to have the potential to upset giant teams and make history!  

Here is the 15 men squad of Bangladesh:

• Najmul Hossain Shanto (c)
• Taskin Ahmed
• Litton Das
• Soumya Sarkar
• Tanzid Hasan Tamim
• Shakib Al Hasan
• Tawhid Hridoy
• Mahmud Ullah Riyad
• Jaker Ali Anik
• Tanvir Islam
• Shak Mahedi Hasan
• Rishad Hossain
• Mustafizur Rahman
• Shoriful Islam
• Tanzim Hasan Sakib; 

Reserves: Afif Hossain, Hasan Mahmud

8. Sri Lanka

The Once Asian powerhouse has always challenged the hot favorites in mega-events and secured their first T20 World Cup in 2014 where they defeated mighty India by 6 wickets. But, the political and economic turmoil in the country hampered their journey so badly that the team seemed to lose track. However, they often show their potential in this format, like winning the Asia Cup title in 2022. Though their current form is not promising enough, the potential possessed by their players can show some smart cricket in the mega stage with another title win.

 Squad of Sri Lanka:

• Wanindu Hasaranga (c),
• Charith Asalanka,
• Kusal Mendis,
• Pathum Nissanka,
• Kamindu Mendis,
• Sadeera Samarawickrama,
• Angelo Mathews,
• Dasun Shanaka,
• Dhananjaya De Silva,
• Maheesh Theekshana,
• Dunith Wellalage,
• Dushmantha Chameera,
• Nuwan Thushara,
• Matheesha Pathirana,
• Dilshan Madushanka. 

Reserves: Asitha Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Janith Liyanage

7. South Africa

South Africa’s failure to manage any ICC trophy yet is a mystery to many. They always build a strong team with proven talents but somehow chock in crucial moments which results in another failure. However, their current team is again a promising one where Aiden Markram, the star allrounder will lead the team.

Squad of South Africa:

• Aiden Markram (c)
• Ottniel Baartman
• Gerald Coetzee
• Quinton de Kock
• Bjorn Fortuin
• Reeza Hendricks
• Marco Jansen
• Heinrich Klaasen
• Keshav Maharaj
• David Miller
• Anrich Nortje
• Kagiso Rabada
• Ryan Rickelton
• Tabraiz Shamsi
• Tristan Stubbs

6. Pakistan

Pakistan cricket team has always shown their special efficiency in this shorter version of cricket. They have the record of playing three finals so far with one trophy (2009). Though they lost against Ireland, a comparatively weaker opponent just a few days back, their unpredictable nature always keeps them on the favorite list!

Squad of Pakistan:

• Babar Azam (c)
• Abrar Ahmed
• Azam Khan
• Fakhar Zaman
• Haris Rauf
• Iftikhar Ahmed
• Imad Wasim
• Mohammad Abbas Afridi
• Mohammad Amir
• Mohammad Rizwan
• Naseem Shah
• Saim Ayub
• Shadab Khan
• Shaheen Shah Afridi
• Usman Khan

5. New Zealand

The team of Kiwis is another one with a glorious history of cricket and has yet to get the World Cup title in any format! Having so many talented players like Kane Williamson, and Trent Boult who are also star performers in both international cricket and franchises, this Oceanian team is much more confident this time to celebrate their first World Cup title!

Squad of New Zealand:   

• Kane Williamson (c)
• Finn Allen
•  Trent Boult
•  Michael Bracewell
•  Mark Chapman
•  Devon Conway
• Lockie Ferguson
• Matt Henry
•  Daryl Mitchell
• Jimmy Neesham
•  Glenn Phillips
•  Rachin Ravindra
• Mitchell Santner
•  Ish Sodhi
•  Tim Southee

Reserve: Ben Sears

4. West Indies

West Indies, the land of T20 players used to entertain audiences round the globe with their power-hitting shows! When this team failed to even participate in the last ODI World Cup, their potential to win the trophy in the shorter version is always a threat to all others, winning the title two times (2012 and 2016). Being the co-host may be a plus for them to secure their third this time!

Squad of West Indies:

• Rovman Powell (c)
• Alzarri Joseph
• Johnson Charles
• Roston Chase
•  Shimron Hetmyer
•  Jason Holder
•  Shai Hope
•  Akeal Hosein
•  Shamar Joseph
•  Brandon King
•  Gudakesh Motie
•  Nicholas Pooran
•  Andre Russell
•  Sherfane Rutherford
•  Romario Shepherd 

3. England

Winning the World Cup title in 2018 has literally changed the path of England cricket. The newly introduced Bazz-ball cricket has shown that they are implementing the fast pace of T20 cricket in all other formats too. As they are the current holder of the title, it won’t be a surprise if they can make it two in a row!

Squad of England:

• Jos Buttler (c)
• Moeen Ali
• Jofra Archer
• Jonathan Bairstow
• Harry Brook
• Sam Curran
• Ben Duckett
• Tom Hartley
• Will Jacks
• Chris Jordan
• Liam Livingstone
• Adil Rashid
• Phil Salt
• Reece Topley
• Mark Wood   

2. Australia

Mighty Australia, 6 times champion of the ODI title, secured their very first T20 title in 2021. A team full of the most destructive performers is undoubtedly the biggest challenge to all others. The dominance of Australia is obvious the experts usually predict only one team to reach the final and their chance to beat Australia while predicting the winners! The performance of their players like Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, David Warner, and others in recent times also boosts the confidence!

Squad of Australia:

• Mitchell Marsh (c)
•  Ashton Agar
•  Pat Cummins
•  Tim David
•  Nathan Ellis
•  Cameron Green
•  Josh Hazlewood
•  Travis Head
•  Josh Inglis
•  Glenn Maxwell
•  Mitchell Starc
•  Marcus Stoinis
•  Matthew Wade
• David Warner
• Adam Zampa; 

Reserves: Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short

1. India

India, the first winner of the T20 World Cup has defined the way the game should be played with their massive investment in this category of cricket with arranging tournaments like IPL. However, the recently finished season of IPL can be a concern for them too as some of the players like Axar Patel, and Hardik was not so impressive! The tiredness of this more than a month-long tournament may affect the performance too. However, explosive performers like Rohit, Virat, and Dube can instigate the team to end the wait for 2^nd title after 2007!

• Rohit Sharma (c)
• Virat Kohli
• Hardik Pandya
• Yashasvi Jaiswal
• Rishabh Pant
• Sanju Samson
• Shivam Dube
• Suryakumar Yadav
• Ravindra Jadeja
• Axar Patel
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Yuzvendra Chahal
• Arshdeep Singh
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Mohd. Siraj. 

Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan