Power Ranking the T20 Cricket Nations After Summer 2015
With the summer at an end—in the northern hemisphere at least—teams from across the world can reflect on their achievements in Twenty20 Internationals, judging their success in cricket’s shortest form.
There was plenty going on, with an ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier taking place in Scotland and Ireland, while every ICC full member had the chance to test themselves, too.
With the summer now over and the winter beckoning, let’s examine how all the teams did relative to each other in a power ranking.
This ranking gives precedent to wins over ICC full members, although each nation to play an official Twenty20 International gets recognition, too.
Let’s take a look at the 23 teams.
23. Canada
1 of 23
The Canadians had a difficult time in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier as they finished as the only winless team.
Their spot at the bottom of Group B, with five losses and one no-result, is indicative of how far the country’s cricket has fallen in just over a decade.
22. United Arab Emirates
2 of 23
The United Arab Emirates fared pretty poorly in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier as they finished with only one win and four losses.
That win came over the poor Canadians in Group B and suggests that UAE have plenty of work ahead of them if they are to return to cricket’s top table.
21. Nepal
3 of 23
Nepal only won one game in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, too, beating the United States in their first game.
They had reason to cheer as they went on tour to the Netherlands, but they came away with a 3-1 series defeat in what will likely have been a learning experience.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
20. Jersey
4 of 23
Jersey performed pretty well in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, considering their obvious lack of resources, but they still finished second bottom of Group A.
Their two wins came over Hong Kong and Nepal, and perhaps those results will give them some reasons for optimism for the future.
19. United States
5 of 23
In spite of the United States of America Cricket Association’s suspension by the ICC, the USA team did admirably enough in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier.
They came away with three wins and three losses in a wide-open Group A, good enough to get them fifth place in the group but nowhere close to sealing any kind of qualification.
18. Kenya
6 of 23
Another ICC associate member to have slipped back dramatically in recent years is Kenya, but perhaps they are starting to move forwards.
The Kenyans finished with three wins, two losses and one no-result and finished fifth in Group B, perhaps showing there are brighter times ahead.
17. Papua New Guinea
7 of 23
Papua New Guinea’s fourth-place finish in Group A was highlighted by a win over ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier favourites Ireland.
It helped them to three victories and two losses in addition to a no-result, and they showed that, on their day, they can compete with the best of the associate members.
16. Namibia
8 of 23
Namibia’s three wins and two losses in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier saw them go on a three-game winning streak in Group A but start and end disappointingly with defeats.
If they can add even greater consistency to their results, perhaps Namibia can be another associate member to return to the big time.
15. Oman
9 of 23
Similar to Kenya, Oman finished with three wins and two losses in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier but finished fourth in Group B owing to a marginally superior net run-rate.
Oman have certainly made strides in their cricketing abilities, and their eventual qualification for the main tournament is a dramatic step forwards in their development.
14. Hong Kong
10 of 23
Hong Kong endured some tough results in the ICC World Twenty Qualifier as they lost to Jersey and the USA, but they were another team to beat a strong Ireland.
In spite of those losses, Hong Kong finished second in Group A thanks to a superior net run-rate and may well fancy themselves to push on in the main tournament.
13. Afghanistan
11 of 23
Afghanistan continue to make inroads in international cricket and are looking decent again as they took three wins and one loss in Group B of the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier.
It was enough to qualify them for the main event, and having made such strides in recent years, it was a decent step forwards.
12. Ireland
12 of 23
Ireland usually dominate their fellow ICC associate members and did well to take four wins at the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, but there is room for improvement.
Their batsmen struggled a little in home conditions, and they will need to pick things up if they are to continue pushing for full member status in the future.
11. Netherlands
13 of 23
The Netherlands eased into the main ICC World Twenty20 after four wins and two losses in the qualifying tournament and have plenty of hope.
Tom Cooper will return to the team having missed this tournament, and after disposing of Nepal 3-1 at home, the Dutch are definitely on the right track.
10. Scotland
14 of 23
With a dominant batting lineup, Scotland breezed through the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier with four wins and just two losses from their six games.
They may need another spinner for the main tournament in India but will be delighted to be back at a main ICC tournament once again.
9. Australia
15 of 23
Australia played just one Twenty20 International this summer and lost by five runs to England in a pulsating clash.
There will be plenty more challenges ahead in the Australian summer for a team that is very much still in transition.
8. Sri Lanka
16 of 23
Sri Lanka only played two Twenty20 Internationals this summer and lost them both at home to Pakistan.
It was disappointing for the hosts to go down twice on home turf, but with a growing team, they will surely be back.
7. Zimbabwe
17 of 23
Zimbabwe had an interesting summer in Twenty20 Internationals as defeats to Pakistan and New Zealand sandwiched a 1-1 tie against an India second string.
The defeats were resounding, too, although their win over India might well give Zimbabwe hope moving forwards.
6. Bangladesh
18 of 23
Bangladesh were typically inconsistent in their three Twenty20 Internationals this summer as they lost 2-0 to South Africa but beat Pakistan in a one-off match.
They are a side full of potential and, with some very exciting batsmen and bowlers, will want to deliver on that promise soon.
5. India
19 of 23
India only played two Twenty20 Internationals this summer, against Zimbabwe, and saw their second string come away with a creditable 1-1 tie.
Having rotated so heavily, it might have been expected to see them lose, so to come away with a series split against a full-strength Zimbabwe was a decent result.
4. New Zealand
20 of 23
New Zealand had a busy summer of Twenty20 Internationals and did pretty well even as they tasted defeat.
A loss in England was followed by a win in Zimbabwe and a tie in South Africa, and like Australia, they have plenty more to come in their summer.
3. South Africa
21 of 23
South Africa enjoyed three wins and just one defeat in Twenty20 Internationals this summer, as they disposed of Bangladesh with ease and then drew at home to New Zealand.
The Proteas remain one of the best and deepest teams in world cricket and are still a formidable force at home and away.
2. England
22 of 23
Against strong Australia and New Zealand teams, England came out of this summer in good shape in Twenty20 International cricket.
They are still experimenting with finding their best side, but against such tough opponents, two victories were great reward for their efforts.
1. Pakistan
23 of 23
Leading the way in Twenty20 Internationals this summer was Pakistan, who shook off the disappointment of losing in Bangladesh to go on a four-game winning streak.
That included two 2-0 wins over Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka and shows that Pakistani cricket is in rude health at this time.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
