ICC T20 Cricket World Cup, 2014

Bangladesh holds the honor of hosting 5^th ICC T20 Cricket World Cup. The stage is all set! This is for the very first time that 16 teams from around the world are participating in this world cup. Out of these 16 teams, 10 teams are ICC members whereas 6 teams qualified for this tournament through a qualifying round.

Warm up matches have already been started but the real game begins on Friday, 21^st April. The day when Pakistan and India, two cricket giants will fight each other. Cricket world is feeling the heat and cricket freaks are going nuts about this nail biting contest. Both teams are heart favorite for the title this time. India has a slight edge over other teams since they have played a lot of t20 cricket and have the real strength within their team. On the other hand, Pakistan is considered as the most unpredictable team in the world. They have the potential to turn the situation at any time and they never fail to disappoint.

Sri Lanka have just won the Asia Cup, 2014 and now looking very positive to own t20 world cup as well. Talking about Sri Lanka, this would be the last t20 tournament for Kumar Sangakara. After the announcement of his retirement, not only Sri Lankan’s but many cricket fans are sad. With him on Sri Lankan side, they have a very good chance to win this world cup for the very first time.

History and Interesting Facts about t20 Cricket World Cups

It all started in 2007, when South Africa hosted the first T20 International World Cup. First T20 World Cup final was played between India and Pakistan. India won the first cup defeating Pakistan by 5 runs.

Second International T20 Cricket World Cup took place in England from 5-11 June, 2009. This time previous runners-up Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 8 wickets and won their first and only t20 world cup.

The third tournament, ICC T20 World Cup 2010, was hosted by West Indies in which England defeated Australia by 7 wickets. This is, up till now, the only ICC tournament won by England.

The fourth ICC T20 Cricket World Cup was played in Sri Lanka in 2012. They lost this world cup final in their home ground. West Indies defeated Sri Lanka by 36 runs. After 1979 and 1983 Cricket World Cups, this was the third time that West Indies qualified for a Final.

Did You Know?

• Pakistan is the most successful team in the t20 world cups. The only team which has qualified in semi finals every time.
• Sri Lanka holds the record of scoring a total of highest 260 runs against Kenya in a t20 international.
• Team India has played just 5 t20 internationals since last world cup.
• Lasith Malinga is the leading wicket taker in t20 world cups. He took 33 wickets in 25 matches.
• Mahela Jayawardene is the highest scorer in t20 world cups so far and this world cup will be his final. He has scored 858 runs in 25 world cup matches.
• Chris Gayle holds the record of hitting maximum number of sixes in t20 world cups. i.e: 43 sixes in 18 matches. He also maintained a highest strike rate of 152.29