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ICC T20 World Cup is just hours away from its start. In the first game, Dashan Shanuka’s Sri Lanka will meet Namibia, an associate team. Even though fans may think it could be an easy walkover for Lanka, it is not true. Any team can cause upsets in the T20I format.
There have been seven editions of the ICC T20 World Cup so far. Did you know that Sri Lanka reached the finals on three of those seven occasions. No other team has reached that many finals. pic.twitter.com/dAZ5DfZP4t
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) October 7, 2022
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Last year is a classic example. Namibia defeated associate nations and qualified for the 2021 World Cup. In the league stage, they defeated Scotland and secured a win. They played against Sri Lanka on the group stage, however, lost the game by seven wickets. They would take hope that any team can stage a fightback in the game’s shortest format.
Some major upset wins in T20 World Cup
In the 2007 T20 World Cup, Zimbabwe defeated the world champions, Australia, in the group stage. The Aussies were the winners of 2007 50 Over World Cup. A loss was least expected from the team, which had the likes of Gilchrist, Ponting, Hayden, Hussey, and others.
ICC Men's T20 WORLD Cup 2022.
Day first . Two matches
Qualifying Round
*Sri Lanka will take on Namibia in match number one of T20 World Cup 2022 qualifiers.*
*And later, UAE will face Netherlands in match number two.*
*#T20WorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/VNrTX9C3yM
— ICC T20 WORLD CUP 2022 (@icct20worldcupa) October 15, 2022
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Batting first, the Aussies scored 138 runs, a below-par total. Zimbabwe chased the target with the help of a fighting half-century by Brendan Taylor. It was a stunning upset, a hard pill to digest for many cricket fans. Even though the African nation could not progress further in the league, they exited the tournament with heads held high.
Australia learned from its mistakes and reached the semifinal before India prevailed over and entered the final. The lesson for Lanka from this game is not to take any opposition lightly in a big tournament.
Sri Lanka has a great run in T20Is
Sri Lanka recently won the Asia Cup 2022 and has momentum with them. Mystery spinner Wanidu Hasaranga is their major weapon this year. Meanwhile, the young side has got several all-rounders and they can swing the game quickly.
🏏 Don’t Miss The Opening Match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022!
After recently winning the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka will have plenty of momentum when they face off against Namibia at Kardinia Park.
Limited tickets remaining. Secure yours today 🎟 https://t.co/TmtDdFsa2X pic.twitter.com/Q7F52SqlPG
— Ticketek Australia (@Ticketek_AU) October 14, 2022
Namibia will also aim to leave its mark on the ICC event. It will help to enhance their cricketing status and gain more opportunities to play bilateral series.
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