The format in which Pakistan are most comfortable. The most consistent side in the ICC World T20, they have reached the semi-finals in each of the four previous editions and have been finalists twice, lifting the trophy at Lords in 2009. The current squad carries some old heads, with Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik and Sohail Tanvir all making a return to the international set-up.

The batting does not lack firepower and all eyes will be on Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi after their explosive showing in the recently concluded Asia Cup. The form and fitness of Umar Gul, the spearhead of the Pakistani T20 pace attack, is a worry but the all-important spin department is well stocked, with Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Hafeez continuing to carry the responsibility for taking wickets as well as strangling teams in the middle overs.

ICC World T20 Final/Semi-Final Record: Semi-Finalists – 2012, 2010, Finalists - 2007, Champions - 2009.

Pakistan Squad: Ahmed Shehzad, Bilawal Bhatti, Junaid Khan, Kamran Akmal (wk), Mohammad Hafeez (capt), Mohammad Talha, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, Sharjeel Khan, Shoaib Malik, Sohaib Maqsood, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal (wk), Umar Gul and Zulfiqar Babar.



The underachievers at ICC World T20 events, with no semi-final appearances for the Indians since winning the first edition seven years ago. Since then there have been plenty of successes in 50-over tournaments and MS Dhoni will be hoping to add yet another major trophy to his list.

India’s recent form has been poor, but they certainly have the batsmen who can turn a match, with Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh and Shikhar Dhawan being the key men. Ravindra Jadeja will continue to be the go-to man with the ball and Amit Mishra may well find himself in the first team after an impressive showing in the Asia Cup.

ICC World T20 Final/Semi-Final Record: Champions - 2007.

India Squad: Varun Aaron, Ravichandran Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Shikhar Dhawan, Mahendra Dhoni (capt & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Amit Mishra, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh.





Defending champions and arriving with much of the same side which was victorious in Sri Lanka two years ago. Whether they can replicate the success will be interesting but they have some big hitters, including Darren Sammy and Chris Gayle and spin options capable of troubling the opposition. Kieron Pollard misses out after failing to recover from a knee injury.

ICC World T20 Final / Semi-Final Record: Semi-Finalists – 2009, Champions - 2012.

West Indies Squad: Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles (wk), Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Fletcher (wk), Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy (capt), Marlon Samuels, Krishmar Santokie, Lendl Simmons and Dwayne Smith.



Coming off the back of an Asia Cup victory, Sri Lanka are a big tournament team and with two finals out of the four World T20 events, they will be looking to go one better by putting aside the disappointment of 2012 and lifting the trophy.

An experienced batting line-up capable of blasting big scores, the evergreen trio of Dilshan, Jayawardene and Sangakkara will provide a formidable challenge to any bowling line-up, with Angelo Mathews capable of acceleration down the order. Backed up with the mystery spin of Mendis and accuracy of Senanayake and Herath, this could well be the year Sri Lanka lift the trophy.

ICC World T20 Final/Semi-Final Record: Semi-Finalists – 2010, Finalists – 2009, 2012.

Sri Lanka Squad: Dinesh Chandimal (capt & wk), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Rangana Herath, Mahela Jayawardene, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga (vice-capt), Angelo Mathews, Ajantha Mendis, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Seekuge Prasanna, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Sachithra Senanayake and Lahiru Thirimanne.





The one limited overs trophy missing from Australia's trophy cabinet. Star bowler Mitchell Johnson is reported to have an infected foot which could see him arrive in Bangladesh a little later than his team-mates, but captain George Bailey arrives with a number of players who have experienced significant success in recent times, namely against England and South Africa in the Test arena. T20s may be a different kettle of fish, but the side will be keen to carry on the successful run. The batting remains strong, with big hitters littered throughout the team, but there will be question marks over whether the spin bowling will be good enough to challenge on the flatter wickets of Bangladesh. How Mitchell Johnson responds to bowling on these pitches will play a significant role in Australia's chances.

ICC World T20 Final/Semi-Final Record: Semi-Finalists – 2007, 2012, Finalists – 2010.

Australia Squad: George Bailey (capt), Dan Christian, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Mitchell Johnson, Brad Haddin (wk), Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg, Glenn Maxwell, James Muirhead, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson and Cameron White.

A side in transition, bruised and battered after a long Ashes tour, but some of the new faces – Chris Jordan and Moeen Ali – have had bright starts to their England careers. Ian Bell was drafted in to replace the injured Joe Root and the team will have to gel quickly under the leadership of Stuart Broad if they are to repeat the success of 2010.

ICC World T20 Final/Semi-Final Record: Champions - 2010.

England Squad: Moeen Ali, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad (captain), Jos Buttler (wk), Jade Dernbach, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Michael Lumb, Eoin Morgan (vice-capt), Stephen Parry, Ben Stokes, James Tredwell and Luke Wright.

 

 

New Zealand are one of the few teams likely to rely on pace in their bowling attack and Trent Boult, McClenaghan and Tim Southee can be a handful for any side when on song. The batting also looks strong and Ross Taylor has shown his penchant for big hitting on sub-continental pitches. The Black Caps have had success against their Group A competitors England and South Africa in limited overs cricket in recent times, and they could well find themselves in a semi-final berth with two wins against those sides. Corey Anderson, who recently smashed a 36-ball century against the West Indies will also be one to watch.


ICC World T20 Final/Semi-Final Record: Semi-Finalists – 2007.

New Zealand: Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Anton Devcich, Martin Guptill, Ronnie Hira, Mitchell McClenaghan, Brendon McCullum (capt), Nathan McCullum, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Luke Ronchi (wk), Tim Southee, Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson.



The fact a side which includes Amla, de Kock, de Villiers, du Plessis and Dale Steyn is not considered amongst the favourites provides an indication of the weight of history the players must bear. However, the Under-19s recently lifted the World Cup for the first time, perhaps showing the way to the full national side, which includes a number of players who are reaching the age where it could be one of their last chances to bring home the Proteas’ first major trophy.

ICC World T20 Final/Semi-Final Record: Semi-Finalists – 2009.

South Africa Squad: Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), AB de Villiers (wk), Faf du Plessis (capt), JP Duminy, Beuran Hendricks, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir and Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has asked the passionate home fans to be realistic about Bangladesh’s chances in the tournament, but the benefit of home advantage and competing in the shortest format of all could give Mushfiqur Rahim’s side a chance to reach the semi-finals for the first time. To do that however, they will have to qualify in a group consisting of Afghanistan, Nepal and Hong Kong and reach the second round.

Bangladesh Squad: Abdur Razzak, Al-Amin Hossain, Anamul Haque (wk), Farhad Reza, Mahmudullah, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), Nasir Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Shamsur Rahman, Sohag Gazi and Tamim Iqbal.

 

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