Which country is going to win the 2010 T20 World Cup?

While they may lack the firepower to win the tournament, Bangladesh have the players to steer them into the Super Eight so Pakistan and New Zealand must be on their toes. The record in the previous World Cup tournaments also clearly indicate that unlike in Tests or in ODIs it is almost impossible for any team to maintain a clear-cut superiority in Twenty20 cricket. It has nothing to do with the strengths or the weaknesses of any particular team; it’s just the unpredictable nature of the format makes it hard for any one side to dominate.

Defending champions England for example were eliminated at the Super Eight stage in both 2007 and 2009. India on the other hand after winning the inaugural edition bowed out at the Super Eight stage in both 2009 and 2010. Australia who were expected to be the dominant team in T20 internationals have had a bit of a roller coaster ride – semifinalists in 2007, shock elimination at the group stage in 2009 following losses to Sri Lanka and West Indies, runners-up the last time around.

West Indies another team who were expected to do very well in Twenty20 given the fact that they have the players for this kind of slam bang cricket has performed below expectations – elimination at the group stage in 2007 following a surprise loss to Bangladesh, semifinalists in 2009 and elimination at the Super Eight stage in 2010. Another favoured side South Africa too has had mixed fortunes – semifinalists in 2009 but elimination at the Super Eight stage in the two other editions. Sri Lanka on the other hand have a better record than other fancied teams – elimination at the Super Eight stage in 2007 but getting to the final two years later before losing to Pakistan and semifinalists last time around.

Pakistan have arguably the best record of all participating teams in the World Cup over the years – finalists in 2007, winners in 2009 and semifinalists in 2010. New Zealand perhaps not unexpectedly have a record in keeping with their reputation of eternal bridesmaids of international cricket – semifinalists in 2007 and elimination at the Super Eight stage in the next two editions.So much for the senior Test teams. As for the others, Afghanistan made their debut in 2010 but not unexpectedly were eliminated the preliminary stage.