2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: Top teams overview

The 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup is here, and the glory is up for grabs. While 16 teams will feature in the tournament, bookmakers and cricket fans have chosen their favourites to take the premier title in T20 cricket.

While the money is on defending champions and hosts Australia to win the tournament, last year’s finalists, New Zealand, have been on a roll. Mercurial Pakistan can upstage any team on their day, while powerhouses India are headed into the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 as the underdogs. Then there are the traditional top teams such as England and South Africa.

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Here is the list of the top contenders at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022. Read on to find out their stats, form, and chances at the tournament in Australia.

Australia’s guide for 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup

T20I record this year: 11-3

Speaking of Australia, the defending champions will begin their campaign against rivals New Zealand on Saturday, 22 October, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Both teams played the final in 2021, where clinical Aussies drubbed New Zealand by eight wickets at Dubai International Stadium, to win their maiden T20 World Cup trophy.

The hero of that match, Josh Hazlewood, demolished the opposition with a lethal spell of 3/16 in his four overs, which included the wicket of Kiwi captain Kane Williamson. The number 1 ranked ICC T20I bowler is one of the best quicks in the world today. 

Hazlewood’s accuracy and pace will be perfectly complemented by the leg breaks and googly of Adam Zampa from the other end. The potent duo would be looking to turn the table on the opposition with home advantage on their side.

The only worrying sign for Australia seems to be the opening batsman slot. With captain Aaron Finch managing to score just two 50 run scores since the last T20 world cup, the ongoing three-match series against England will be his last chance to make up for the team management's lost confidence in him. 

The dasher recently stepped down from ODI captaincy and retired from the format to focus on his T20I career. The host nation looks well set to create history by becoming the first team to retain the trophy on home soil.

Pakistan’s guide for 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup

T20 record this year: 14-6

The cricket-crazy nation will lock horns with arch-rivals India in their first match on Sunday, 23 October, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Men in Green had a memorable outing in the 2021 T20 World Cup, winning five games on the trot in the league stage, before losing the semi-finals to Australia. 

The dreaded speedster Shaheen Afridi’s recent tweet “calm before the storm” has already set the alarm bells ringing in batsmen’s minds across all teams. He would be eyeing a comeback from injury in the game against India, hoping to reignite his battle against the Indian Openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. The former dismissed both of them with the beauties World Cup last year.

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However, with two of the top three ranked T20 batsmen in the lineup, the key to Pakistan’s success will depend on the performance of their opening batters, Mohammad Rizwan (ICC rank number 1) and Babar Azam (ICC rank number 3). The duo averages a staggering 54.20 in 2021-22 and remains the best opening pair today. Their recent unbeaten 200-run stand against England in the 2nd T20I keeps them in red-hot form going into the tournament.

India’s guide for 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup

T20 record this year: 26-6

For the first time, the Men in Blue will start as underdogs in this year’s event. They had a poor show in their last T20 World Cup 2021 outing, failing to qualify for playoffs. With the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja missing out, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar remaining subpar, death bowling remains a considerable concern for team India. 

The recent tag of chokers and the uncertainty on the form of key players like KL Rahul, Harshal Patel, and even captain Rohit Sharma has led to doubts in the minds of fans of this vast cricketing nation.

However, the number 1 ranked ICC T20 team has recently upped its ante with a more aggressive batting approach. The bilateral series win over South Africa and Australia has bolstered their confidence. 

Virat Kohli and Surya Kumar Yadav have found their form and can demolish any opposition with their fearless batting. Veteran wicketkeeper Dinesh Kartik can be a game-changer with the bat as well. If the youngsters can hold their nerve and be on top of their game, India certainly has the firepower to knock down any opposition at the 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

England’s guide for 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup

T20 record this year: 11-7

The semi-finalists of the 2021 T20 World Cup will take on Afghanistan in their opening match on Saturday, 22 October at the beautiful Perth stadium. Winners of the 2010 edition have the arsenal to go all the way in this year's event. The best all-around team on paper has depth in its batting lineup, and the bowling department, too, looks well settled. 

A lot will depend, though, on Jos Buttler's leadership and his own personal form. The keeper and skipper had a layoff during the recent series with Pakistan. The team performed exceedingly well and won the last two games to capture the series 4-3. If Stokes fires, England can triumph at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022.

English bowlers Mark Wood and Reece Topley, along with all-rounder Stokes have the ability to hit the deck hard and generate extra bounce in Australian conditions. The team is peaking at the right time and is already in Australia for a three-match series against the host nation.

New Zealand’s guide for 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup

T20 record this year: 12-1

Consistent performers across multi-nation ICC events, the Blackcaps remain a strong contender to lift the title this year. The Kane Williamson-led side has the perfect blend of youth and experience and will look forward to settling their score with host Australia. 

The ever-so-calm master skipper has enough big match experience to handle any pressure cooker scenario with his tactful skills. While the prolific Martin Guptill will open the batting for a seventh consecutive time in the T20 World Cup, the pace battery of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson will surely be a handful in Australian conditions.

The scheme of things may just have gone awry with the unfortunate injury of Daryl Mitchell. The batting all-rounder sustained a blow and fractured his right-hand finger during the series against Bangladesh and Pakistan. He has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup.

The competitive spirit and a string of victories in 2022 have given them the perfect mindset going into the prestigious event.

South Africa’s guide for 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup

T20 record this year: 8-4

The uber-skilled South African team will play its first match against the Group B winners on Mon, 24 Oct. The team had a memorable T20 World Cup 2021 and was unfortunate to qualify for the semifinals due to the net run rate.

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Skipper Temba Bavuma would be looking to further galvanize the Protean powerhouse already beaming with talent, skill, and self-belief. The opening slot may be under some pressure with the recent failures of the Bauvma-Quinton de Kock pair in the T20 series against India.

But the formidable middle order makes up for it with the likes of Aiden Markram, Rilee Rossouw, and probably the best modern-day finisher David Miller. The inclusion of power hitter Tristan Stubbs may be an ideal replacement for injured Rassie van der Dussen.

Kagiso Rabada would spearhead the bowling attack and would love to repeat his hat-trick performance like in the 2021 T20 World Cup. 

The semi-finalists of the 2009 and 2014 World Cups can unleash the demon on the opposition and come out with flying colours in the marquee event.

ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 Betting FAQs

Who are the top teams in T20 cricket?

The top six T20I teams in the ICC rankings are India, England, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia.

Who are the favourites to win the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022?

Defending champions and hosts Australia are the favourites to win the 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Which is the first match at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup?

Australia will take on rivals New Zealand to kick off the Super 12 stage on 22 October.