Paceman Mitchell Starc has warned Australia's rivals not to read too much into the team's recent poor form, saying the squad now assembled in the United Arab Emirates was preparing only to win the Twenty20 World Cup.

Pakistan have won their last 10 Twenty20 internationals in the United Arab Emirates and captain Babar Azam claims that will give his men the edge over India in their World Cup opener.

Virat Kohli on Saturday hailed M.S. Dhoni as an “inspiration” who had a “huge impact” on his cricketing journey as the India captain goes in search of the Twenty20 World Cup title.

Chris Gayle has joined the West Indies for their title defence in the Twenty20 World Cup and skipper Kieron Pollard backs the big-hitter to come good in the United Arab Emirates.

Without the comforts of home advantage or spin-friendly tracks, Bangladesh will need to focus on proper planning and team combination as they begin their ICC T20 World Cup mission today in the opening game of the qualifiers against Scotland at the Al Amerat Cricket Stadium in Muscat.

India once again proved too strong for their neighbours, securing an eighth SAFF Championship crown by beating Nepal 3-0 in the final of the 13th edition of the regional football extravaganza at the National Football Stadium in Male yesterday.

As the 13th edition of the South Asian football extravaganza concluded last night in Male, Bangladesh’s football fraternity should buckle up to thoroughly reflect on what transpired in the latest SAFF Championship for the country who last featured in the final of the prestigious tournament 16 long years ago. 

The reason Bangladesh are playing the qualifying round of the ICC T20 World Cup this time around can be explained by the

Oman and Papua New Guinea will kickstart the T20 World Cup 2021 in Muscat at 4:00pm (Bangladesh standard time), with an aim to make it to the Super 12 stage.

As Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup campaign begins in earnest today, the Tigers will look to quickly resolve some disconcerting issues within the team instead of looking too much at their lightweight opponents in the first round of the competition – known as qualifiers for the Super 12. 

According to Scotland skipper Kyle Coetzer, Bangladesh’s premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan could be the best bowler in the T20 World Cup, set to begin tomorrow with the qualifier stage matches in Oman.

Only a solitary fifty came from the bat of Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh’s batting mainstay, in his last 25 T20Is. The experienced batsman, who is trying to find his usual rhythm in this format, has also had a torrid time in three practise matches ahead of the T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin tomorrow with Bangladesh taking on Scotland in Muscat.

On paper, Australia look formidable with seven of their big stars -- skipper Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell,

South Africa used to be an intimidating force in international cricket, but that is no longer the case. A significant number of South African cricketers have recently retired, and it would be harsh to expect the current batch of players to deliver big in the upcoming event.

Afghanistan formed their first official team in 1995, 20 years after the West Indies were crowned champions in the first-ever cricket World Cup in England.

In six editions of the T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka have made it to the finals thrice, the most by any team, and were crowned champions in 2014 after beating India in Dhaka.

Fourteen years since appearing for the Netherlands in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007,

Oman, featuring in their second-ever T20 World Cup, will be hopeful of going past the group stage for the first time, especially now that they are co-hosting the marquee event.

When Mohammad Ashraful returned to the dressing room having conceded 55 from his four overs at an economy rate of 13.75

Undoubtedly, it will be a historic moment for Papua New Guinea when they will step on to play T20 World Cup co-hosts Oman in the opener on October 17 in Muscat as they will be making their ICC global tournament debut.