T20 World Cup 2022: Ratings top 8 teams based on their opening pairs

Australia will enter the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 starting on October 16 as one of the favourites. The defending champions are currently ranked sixth on the latest ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings but as a host nation, they can put up a big challenge to other contenders. Australia will be hoping for big performances from their veteran openers in David Warner and Aaron Finch, as both batters are likely to be playing in their last T20 World Cup.

Pakistan also possess a big threat in the upcoming World Cup with both openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan dominating the T20I rankings lately. Similar to Pakistan, Sri Lanka and West Indies are also largely dependent on their opening pair to make a big impact in the T20 World Cup.

Both India and England are not entirely dependent on their top-order but it will definitely play a big part in their outcomes in Australia. India's batting order is looking sorted out but their bowling attack seems less impressive. On the other hand, England's recent away series win against Pakistan, without key senior players, has boosted their chances for the T20 World Cup 2022.

In cricket, openers' performance is a crucial factor in building up an innings and the T20 World Cup is no different. Notably, four of the top-five run-getters in the last edition of the T20 World Cup were all openers. So let's rate the the top-eight teams based on their opening pairs.

8. West Indies (6/10)

West Indies, the only team to win the T20 World Cup tournament twice, are placed seventh in the current ICC rankings and pose no real threat in the upcoming edition. They need to overcome a tough challenge from Ireland, Scotland, and Zimbabawe in the First round, to qualify for the Super 12.

West Indies' recent T20I series defeats against India and New Zealand at home, have further exposed their weakness in every department. The Caribbean unit has tested Shamrah Brooks, Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, and Brandon King for the openers' position in the last two series. King and Mayers were impressive in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League 2022 (CPL) and are likely to open for the Windies in the World Cup. 

King smashed 422 runs and Mayers scored 366 in the CPL 2022 season, and finished as the top-two leading run-getters in the tournament. It will be interesting to see how both players perform as an opening pair in the World Cup matches.

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