ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 - Group Stages

Well the group stages have come to a close in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and my goodness, don't we have a shock on our hands. The hosts and reigning champions Australia have not made it through to the semi-final after losing out to England on a lower net run rate average. Let's take a look at how it all unfolded...

Group 1:

New Zealand topped group one but found themselves on seven points alongside both England and Australia. Their net run rate was what saw them take the top spot with +2.113.

In the tournament's first game, New Zealand smashed Australia by 89 runs. Devon Conway scored a staggering 92 not out, off 58 balls as Australia were all out for 111 to the Black Caps 200/3.

England made a bit of a meal in their opening game against Afghanistan but managed to pick up the two points. Sam Curran's heroics with the ball saw him take 5-10 and become England Men's first ever player to take a five-for in a one day T-20. His quick-fire four wickets from six balls saw Afghan all out for 112. The Three Lions won the match by five wickets with just eleven balls remaining.

The final first round of games in group one saw Sri Lanka wipe the floor with Ireland and win by a convincing 9 wickets. It took just 15 overs for The Lions to catch Ireland's score of 128/8, as a six from Kusal Mendis saw them finish 133/1.

In the second round of matches, New Zealand's match was abandoned without a ball even being bowled due to the heavy rain conditions preventing them from taking on Afghanistan at the world famous Melbourne Cricket Ground.

England was found guilty of the biggest shock during this tournament's group stages as they were defeated by 5 runs against Ireland using DLS (Duckworth–Lewis–Stern) Method. A half-century from Andrew Balbirnie helped Ireland record a famous victory as rain later meant there would be no more action in this contest.

Australia picked up a much-needed win against Sri Lanka as they came out on top by seven wickets. Marcus Stoinis' 59 not out helped the Aussies get their first points on the board and finish 158/3.

In Sydney for New Zealand's third match, they took on Sri Lanka and Glenn Phillips completely stole the show with his 104 runs from 64 balls. After the two opening batsmen were taken for just two between them, Phillips stepped up as number four and scored over half of New Zealand's runs to see them reach twenty overs with 167/7. In his innings, he scored ten fours and four sixes. Sri Lanka was bowled out for 102 in yet another dominant display by the Kiwis.

Both games at the MCG on October 28th were abandoned due to the weather, meaning England, Australia, Afghanistan and Ireland all picked up a point for a no result.

On the 1st November, New Zealand took on a desperate England at The Gabba in Brisbane, knowing that if they were to win, they'd knock out their opposition. However, an inspired performance from opening batters, Jos Buttler and Alex Hales meant that the Three Lions' semi-final dreams were still alive thanks to winning by 20 runs. The Black Caps 159/6 wasn't enough as England just did enough to win the game.

Australia put on a comfortable display against Ireland, putting on a defence of 179/5 which was enough to eventually win by 42 runs. Despite a strong showing from Green and Whites Lorcan Tucker, his 71 not out wasn't enough to defeat the Aussies.

Sri Lanka took on an unfortunate Afghanistan who had already seen two games ruled out due to weather. It was a must-win for both sides and The Lions were the ones who came out on top. The Afghans' 144/8 wasn't enough as Sri Lanka won by six wickets with nine balls left.

The final round of matches arrived and New Zealand became the first side to qualify for the semi-finals after beating Ireland by 35 runs. Their 185/6 was too much for Ireland and the Kiwis will now start to prepare for their semi-final against Pakistan.

England sealed their place in the other semi-final, despite a late scare from Sri Lanka as they won by four wickets with just two balls left. This result meant Australia was out based on their net run rate. The Three Lions will face India in what will be a brilliant contest.

Australia's win against Afghanistan wasn't enough as mentioned, meaning they are out at the group stages for the first time since 2016.

The final table looked like this...

Group 2:

India got group two off to a flyer as they faced rivals Pakistan at the MCG. A vintage Virat Kohli performance of 82 from 53 not out, meant his side beat The Shaheens in a game that went all the way down to the final ball. Ravichandran Ashwin's one run from one ball saw his side claim a famous victory by four wickets.

Unfortunately, in the game between South Africa and Zimbabwe, the rain was the winner as despite both teams getting a halved innings, it was deemed unplayable so both teams took a point as a no result.

Bangladesh beat the Netherlands by nine runs in a decent game at the Bellerive Oval on the island of Tasmania. The Tigers got underway with a win thanks to a fantastic bowling display from Taskin Ahmed. It finished 144/8 up against the Dutch's 135.

In the second round of fixtures, India convincingly beat the Netherlands by 56 runs thanks to three half-centuries from Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav respectively. Their 179/2 was too much for the Dutch to catch, meaning they took four points from the first four available.

Pakistan lost yet again on the last ball, but this time with the bat themselves as a stunning evening in Perth saw Zimbabwe take a famous win. The Chevrons held their nerve to clinch a thrilling win by a solitary run. A spirited performance from Sikandar Raza, helped his sides' 130/8 stay intact to take the two points.

South Africa absolutely smashed Bangladesh by 104 runs in this one-sided game at the SCG. A performance for the ages from Rilee Rossouw saw his side pick up their first win of the tournament. He scored 109 runs from 56 balls before being caught out by Litton Das. Despite a brilliant first innings of 205/5 from South Africa, The Tigers put on an awful display, only managing 101 before having ten batsmen all out.

The third lot of games produced a caulker when South Africa flexed their muscles to defeat India by 5 wickets. David Miller saw The Proteas through, in a tense run chase in Perth that came down to the third final ball. India rued missed catching opportunities, so, therefore, walked away with no points for the standings.

Pakistan finally got their first win after a sensational bowling performance saw them take the Netherlands for just 91/9 in 2o overs (due to Bas de Leede retiring through injury). Shadab Khan was at the forefront of the bowling masterclass as he took 3-22, helping his side claim their first two points. Pakistan won by six wickets.

Bangladesh emerged victorious after a thrilling clash against Zimbabwe. The final ball was bowled twice during the brilliant match in Brisbane. The Tigers won by just three runs which Najmul Hossain Shanto had a part to play in thanks to his 71 runs from 55 balls. They finished with 150/7 to Zimbabwe's 147/8.

The penultimate matches arrived in November and India got back on track, as they beat Bangladesh by 5 runs using DLS Method. India reigned in Adelaide, despite Bangladesh giving it their all. Virat Kohli's 64 not out, helped his side stretch the margin but Litton Das' 60 from 27, including seven fours and three sixes, shouldn't go unnoticed.

Pakistan kept their semi-final hopes alive with a comprehensive win over South Africa in Sydney. The lightning pace of Shaheen Shah Afridi and his spell of 3/14, helped make sure his side had something to play for going into their final game against Bangladesh. The Shaheens won by 33 runs using the DLS Method.

A good performance from the Netherlands saw them seal victory against Zimbabwe in Adelaide. Max O'Dowd's half-century, meant that the Dutch had won their first group-stage game of the tournament against a good Zimbabwe side. They came out on top by five wickets.

India finished off their group stage with a big win against Zimbabwe thanks to a superb inning from Suryakumar Yadav. He took 61 runs from just 25 balls and was in for all 20 overs. The Blue Tigers won by 71 runs to set up a semi-final against England. They took eight points from their group, the most out of any team in the tournament.

Pakistan kept their cool to beat Bangladesh by five wickets and make it through to the semi-final, where they will face New Zealand. Shaheen Shah Afridi took 4-22 to help his side make it to the last four.

In their final game of the tournament, South Africa bottled their chances of being in the semi-final as the Netherlands shocked the world in an incredible game of cricket. A brilliant performance with both bat and ball from Colin Ackermann, saw his side finish in the top four and qualify for the group stages in the 2024 T-20 World Cup.

The final table looked like this...

These group stages didn't disappoint as some sensational cricket was on display. Until last Sunday, Pakistan had lost to India & Zimbabwe and had never won a T-20 game in Australia. South Africa was the only unbeaten side in the World Cup. Today, Pakistan are in semi-final & South Africa are knocked out. Now it is time to prepare for the semis in Sydney and Adelaide respectively, before heading to Melbourne for the main event!