The T20 World Cup got off to a stunning and shock-laden start in Australia.
Sri Lanka, winners in 2014, were stunned in the competition opener by Namibia, while West Indies, triumphant in 2012 and 2016 and a traditional powerhouse of cricket’s shortest international format, were humbled by Scotland.
Does that mean those two fan-favourite sides are out already? And why are England, Australia and India not playing until this weekend?
Read on, we’ve got all the answers.
What is the format for the T20 World Cup? How many teams are taking part?
There are 16 teams taking part in the T20 World Cup overall, with eight progressing directly to the Super 12 stage of the competition.
The remaining eight are split across Group A and Group B in the first round. The four teams in each group will play each other once, with the top two progressing from the initial round-robin phase to the Super 12.
Split into Group 1 and Group 2, with every team playing one another once to comprise five games each, the top two teams in each Super 12 section will qualify for the semi-finals.
Which teams are in the Super 12 of the T20 World Cup?
Hosts and defending champions Australia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa all qualified directly for the Super 12 on account of their performances in the 2021 T20 World Cup and their ICC world ranking as of November 2021.
Afghanistan, Australia, England and New Zealand will be joined in Group 1 by the winners of Group A and the runners-up in Group B from the first round.
Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and South Africa are in Group 2, which will be completed by the Group B winners and the Group A runners-up.
Which teams are in the first round of the T20 World Cup?
All of the teams that reached the Super 12 in 2021 automatically qualified for the 2022 tournament.
However, West Indies and Sri Lanka were not ranked among the leading eight of those sides, meaning they took their places in the first round alongside looming conquerors Namibia and Scotland.
The other four places were filled by teams who came through two ICC Global Qualifiers.
Ireland and the United Arab Emirates advanced from Global Qualifier A in Oman in February, while Netherlands and Zimbabwe prevailed in Global Qualifier B, which was hosted by the latter in July.
Are West Indies and Sri Lanka out of the T20 World Cup?
No, but they will probably have to win each of their remaining first-round matches to secure a top-two berth and qualify for the Super 12.
West Indies face Zimbabwe in Hobart on Wednesday before taking on Ireland back at the Bellerive Oval two days later.
Sri Lanka play the UAE on Tuesday and Netherlands on Thursday, with both games at Geelong’s Kardinia Park.
Teams are awarded two points for a win and one for a no-result, something that could become a factor with rain forecast as the effects of La Nina hit.
What a performance 🔥
Scotland get their campaign underway with a commanding victory against West Indies 💪#T20WorldCup | #WIvSCO | 📝 https://t.co/TLOj3XMxLE pic.twitter.com/dc2hvTIGi7
— ICC (@ICC) October 17, 2022
When do Australia, India and England play their first games at the T20 World Cup?
Australia begin their title defence on Saturday with a mouthwatering clash against New Zealand at the SCG.
On the same day, England take on Afghanistan at Perth Stadium.
Group 2 will start with probably the event of the entire tournament on Sunday when India take on rivals Pakistan at a packed MCG.
When are the T20 World Cup semi-finals and finals?
Melbourne will also host the final on November 13.
The semi-finals are on November 9 and November 10 at the SCG and Adelaide Oval respectively.
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