Why Zimbabwe and Netherlands' T20 World Cup 2022 qualification is significant for Cricket!
Following the conclusion of ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Global Qualifier B, perennial underachievers Zimbabwe and Netherlands became the latest entrants to join the race in Australia later this year.
The two nations fought tooth and nail throughout July's qualifiers event, making their way to the finals with unbeaten group runs. On the day of reckoning, it was the Craig Ervine-led spirited Zimbabweans who came up trumps with a 37-run win at the historic Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
The finale's outcome did not make much difference for the Dutch as both sides earned ICC's tickets to travel to Australia later this year.
While the Netherlands will find themselves placed in Group A of the first round alongside UAE, Namibia and T20 giants Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe will be locked in Group B with Ireland, Scotland and two-time winners West Indies. From there on, the two teams will need at least a top-two finish in their respective groups to proceed to the Super 12s.
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Although the tournament is already filled with India, England, Pakistan, hosts Australia and other heavyweights of the game, both Zimbabwe and Netherlands hold potential keys to liven up the month-long event further Down Under.
Zimbabwe and Netherlands qualification significant for tourney
The Chevrons have reserved their own share of some T20 World Cup specials. Much like other full-member countries, they made their debut in its first edition back in 2007. Placed in a deadly Group B alongside tournament-favourites Australia and T20 veterans England, not many, if any, would have betted on the African side to survive the first stage.
As it turned out, the underdogs went on to upstage the Australians just as the ODI World Champions were about to begin their quest for T20 supremacy. Ultimately, Brendon Taylor's match-winning leg-glance off Nathan Bracken carved itself as one of the moments that lit up the opening edition.
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They still failed to go past the opening round, as was the case in their subsequent four appearances in the tournament. Moreover, the 2016 competition marked their last T20 WC presence as they missed out on the 2021 slot.
With Zimbabwe marking up a sequence of confident wins in the qualifiers this time around, one can expect the African nation to spring a surprise or two in this year's big event as well. After all, it was them who had to liven up the inaugural edition with a T20 win for the ages, overcoming all odds to outclass ODI and Test juggernauts in their first T20 World Cup attempt.
On the other hand, the Netherlands also had a fairy-tale beginning to their maiden campaign. The Dutch pipped hosts England at the 2009 event and repeated the feat five years later in 2014, thus maintaining a 100 percent win record over their European neighbours.
Netherlands' entertaining Super 10 phase from 2014 was followed by eventless Group exits in 2016 and 2021. Much like Zimbabwe, Scott Edwards' side will also be looking to leave a mark in Australia this time around.
Since a win by Bangladesh and Afghanistan is rarely considered a surprise these days, fans would surely pin their hopes on the latest entrants to provide some spicy plot-twists Down Under.
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