Group A contains two important matches. USA v Canada is the opening match of the tournament. It takes place in Dallas at the Grand Prairie Stadium on June 1st. We can surely expect a cornucopia of razzmatazz which will dazzle and amaze as the Lone Star state looks to represent the best of USA sports entertainment to the world while also representing one of the world's most popular games to USA.
The second big match of the group, indeed of the tournament, is on June 9th at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium when India and Pakistan meet. Any time two of the planets largest cricket playing nations come together is a treat and, with both teams having won the tournament previously, they will be looking to this match to provide both braggin rights and, realistically, secure a position at the top of the group.
The teams T20 ICC rankings are currently:
1 India
7 Pakistan
11 Ireland
19 USA
23 Canada
The top two teams from the group qualify and, realistically, it is likely to be India and Pakistan who go through. Pakistan recently beat Ireland 2-1 in a warm up series so those teams will have a good measure of each other.
Canada and USA will be playing for continental bragging rights and USA will go into their match full of confidence after defeating Canada 4-0 in a warm up tournament played at Grand Prairie Stadium.
I expect the group to finish with India & Pakistan in the top two positions, probably with India first.
Home advantage may just provide USA with the edge needed to beat their rankings and secure third place.
So, my final standings guess is:
India
Pakistan
USA
Ireland
Canada
Of course upsets happen, and should there be weather issues, teams who expected to waltz through the group could find themselves scrabbling and under pressure against a minnow with nothing to lose. It's happened before. If that were the case, I'd reckon Ireland could be a team to sneak their way into the Super Eight stage.
text by stuartcturnbull. graphic by Mir Rammez Raja & edited by stuartcturnbull via postermywall