MUSCAT: Ireland, touted as favourites for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier A, supported by Dream 11, begin their campaign against the UAE, at the Oman Academy ground in Al Amerat, on Friday. Besides Ireland, seven other nations – Nepal, UAE, Canada, Germany, Philippines, Bahrain, and hosts Oman – will vie for the two spots at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 available at Qualifier A from 18 to 24 February.

Ahead of the qualifier, Ireland skipper Andrew Balbirnie expressed optimism that his team would make it to the Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. Balbirnie admitted that his side deserved to play the Qualifiers after their performance during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2021, “We have been pretty inconsistent and deserved to be here. But we know that when we play well, we can beat any team. There are not many occasions when we get the favourite tag. So, I am happy to have it. Usually, it has been the other way round when we, as underdogs, have upset some of the top teams,” said the skipper. Ireland has qualified for six of the last seven editions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, and Balbirnie agreed the pressure is on.

Ireland is clubbed with UAE, Bahrain and Germany in Group B and the Irish batter added, “It was great to see teams like Germany, Philippines [Group A], Bahrain reaching this stage. The T20 game is getting more competitive day by day and we expect some exciting matches ahead.”

For UAE skipper Ahmed Raza, the focus is on qualification. The UAE skipper said that the recent quadrangular series at Al Amerat, the venue where the Qualifier A will be held from Friday, was a great help to their preparations, “We got used to the conditions and the matches provided a platform for us to test our combinations. We hope to carry our good form from the quadrangular series to the Qualifiers.”

Germany skipper Venkat Ganesan, who is leading the side into their maiden global qualifying event, is upbeat on the prospects of playing against some of the best teams. Ganesan, who has roots in India, has been the skipper since 2019 and has been with the national team since 2016. Under Scottish coach Steven Knox, who has been the driving force of the team’s growth journey since 2014, Germany missed a spot in the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers by a close margin.

Bahrain, the other team in Group B, are also making their first appearance at this level and the team’s skipper and opening batter, Sarfraz Ali, said:“We have worked hard to reach this stage. The morale of the players is very high as we are making our debut in the global Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers. We are the underdogs, but I believe that we have the required arsenal to topple some experienced sides.”

Group A comprises hosts Oman along with Nepal, Canada and the Philippines who are making their debut at a global qualifier. Oman, who have qualified for the Men’s T20 World Cup two times in a row in 2016 and 2021, hope to capitalise on the home conditions though they would be missing their key allrounder, Aqib Ilyas, due to injury.

Oman captain and ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year 2021, Zeeshan Maqsood, is pleased with his team’s build-up ahead of Qualifier A, “We are happy with our preparations and the win against the in-form UAE team in the concluding game of the quadrangular T20 series was a big motivation for us. We have made it to two successive T20 World Cups, and I am hopeful that we can make it a hat-trick,” said the allrounder.

Maqsood said that his team will try to exploit the home conditions to their best use and hoped that they could give another occasion for the home fans to celebrate, “There is no pressure as a home team. In fact, we think it is an advantage for us. We have an experienced squad, and it helps while playing such big tournaments,” he added.

Nepal will be led by one of the youngest skippers in global cricket, Sandeep Lamichhane, and the leg-spinner said that they have a talented and balanced side that can qualify as the best two teams. Nepal and Oman are expected to face tough opposition from Canada, who are aiming for their first berth in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Canada skipper Navneet Dhillon said, “We are confident of creating some surprises. We have a positive mindset, and the motive is to qualify for the World Cup in style.”

For the Philippines, the tournament debutants, skipper Jonathan Hull realises the task on his hands. “The team preparations have been far from ideal, but we have made the most of every opportunity to connect with each other as a team,” said Hull.