The opening stage of the T20 World Cup is now in the rearview mirror with a few upsets, several demolitions and the big names headed to the next round.
Favourites India and Australia topped their groups with undefeated records – India winning three with one no-result in Group A and the Aussies amassing four wins from four in Group B. South Africa claimed Group D, with Afghanistan and West Indies advancing from Group C.
Also through are the underwhelming England, Bangladesh and the surprise package of the tournament USA, who knocked Pakistan out of the competition.
Afghanistan, who opened the tournament with three wins from three over New Zealand, Uganda and Papa New Guinea, but lost a Group C decider against the West Indies, boast both the tournament's top run scorer and top wicket taker – Rahmanullah Gurbaz (167 runs @ 41.75) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (12 wickets).
Gurbaz has two of the top four individual scores in the tournament with 80 against New Zealand and 76 against Uganda and averages over 25 in the format. Throw in the likes of Naveen-ul-haq and Azmatuallah Omarzai, who boast two of the better economies in the tournament, and there is potential for them to reach the semi-finals at least.
However, they are in the tougher of the two groups in the Super Eight stage – they are paired with tournament favourites India and Australia in addition to Bangladesh. The other Super Eight group consists of England, South Africa, USA and West Indies.
Australia at 3/1 to win the tournament is a backable price given their strength in depth. Marcus Stoinis (156 runs), Travis Head (148 runs) and David Warner (116 runs) are all in the top 10 in terms of run scoring.
Meanwhile, Adam Zampa (nine wickets) has shone in the tournament so far, and with a bullpen of arms including Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Stoinis, they are hard to bet against.
India have the firepower but are yet to showcase their full force so far in the tournament. Rishabh Pant is their leading run scorer with just 96 runs in three games, with Rohit Sharma (68), Suryakumar Yadav (59) and Virat Kholi (five) yet to ignite.
They have played matches on the questionable wickets in the US, so poor batting displays must be taken with a pinch of salt. Bowling-wise Hardik Pandaya (seven wickets), Arshdeep Singh (seven), Jasprit Bumrah (five) and Axar Patel (three) have all contributed, with Patel specifically and Ravindra Jadeja likely still to play a big part.
At 7/4, however, it's easier to back Australia than India. England are third favourites at 9/2, and should advance to the semi finals, but it is hard, on current for, to outlay too much on a tournament win for the defending champions.
