The warm-up games of the ICC World T20 are over and there were two big surprises in the matches. On the second day of the warm-up games, the minnow side Zimbabwe beat Australia, and then repeated their giant-killing spree on the third and the final day of the warm-up by overcoming the Pakistan challenge.
In the Zimbabwe-Australia game, the Zimbabwe side batted first and recovered from 36/4 in six overs to post a strong 173 in the twenty overs thanks to Elton Chigumbura’s 76. In reply, the Aussies looked to be coasting at one stage thanks to Dave Warner’s 72, but once he was dismissed, the rest of the side could not cope up with the Zimbabwean spinners. However, despite their warm-up loss, Australia goes into the tournament as favourites; 4/1 at Boylesports to win it.
Even against Pakistan, Zimbabwe batted first and scored 143 thanks to Chigumbura’s 49. Shahid Afridi picked up four wickets. But, in reply, the Pakistanis failed to get going on a slowish wicket and were bowled out for 131. Boylesports offers Pakistan 10/1 to defend their World T20 title successfully. Zimbabwe are at 200/1 (Sky Bet) to lift the trophy.
In another game, Afghanistan easily beat Ireland to ensure that Irish coach Phil Simmons had a go at his team for the abysmal performance. Ireland played four warm-up games, and apart from Afghanistan, also lost to New Zealand (12/1 at Blue Square to win the ICC World T20), and Trinidad and Tobago.
The first day of the tournament will see West Indies play Ireland and Sri Lanka taking on New Zealand.