10 cricketers of Indian origin who might have been playing the 2016 T20 World Cup
As the current year reaches the end of its middle third, preparations have already begun for the major event that will take place next year - the ICC T20 World Cup. Set to be hosted for the first time in India, it is one of the most expected sports events of 2016. After being hosted by South Africa, England and West Indies, the T20 World Cup finally set foot inside the subcontinent as Sri Lanka hosted it in 2014. Now, it all set to come back to India - the inaugural winners of the trophy.The Qualifiers for the World Cup was held on July, where Netherlands and Scotland shared the Cup, thus qualifying for the main event in 2016. Along with them were old hands Ireland and Afghanistan, comeback team Hong Kong and the new entrant Oman. These six teams will join Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the first round of the main tournament, where two teams will advance to the Super Six and meet the other teams.The World Cup promises to be an exciting affair, and all the fans are geared up to support their favourite Indian cricketers. But this time the tournament has a big Indian flavour, not owing to the Indian team, but rather the number of Indian-born players playing for other nations.Here are some of them:
#10 Munis Ansari
When you look at Oman’s Munis Ansari at the start of his run-up, bounding towards the batsman and preparing to deliver the ball, you don’t think you’re going to see anything special. It’s at the start of his bowling action that all hell breaks loose. Munis Ansari is a slinger – called Oman’s Malinga – because of the similarity in their actions.
Born in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, Ansari quickly made his way into Oman’s international side thanks to his quick bowling and deadly accuracy. Though it is not easy to bowl with this action, Ansari bowls with good pace and a nagging line.
Ansari holds the record for the best bowling figures for Oman in an international match, with 4/15 against Netherlands in the 2015 ICC Qualifiers. Ansari teamed up with Rajesh Ranpura to be one of the best opening combos in the tournament as they picked up 22 wickets between them.
With Ranpura’s accuracy and Ansari’s pace, Oman’s bowling line-up troubled even the veteran batsmen in the Scottish and Irish teams. He set up several victories for Oman in their quest for qualification, including a 3/23 against Namibia and 2/23 against Kenya.
Ansari finished as the fourth highest wicket taker in the tournament and was part of ESPNCricinfo’s team of the tournament. A dependable fast bowler who can be called upon at the death, Ansari will want to make sure that Oman qualify for the Super Eights and give the other teams a good fight.