Hosts Australia handed tough draws for next year's Twenty20 World Cup

Australia’s world champion women’s team will again have to overcome India and New Zealand in the group stage of next year’s Twenty20 World Cup, while the men’s side will have to face defending champions West Indies and the No 1-ranked Pakistan when they host the event.

After Meg Lanning’s side faced both of the dangerous teams in the group stage of last year’s successful campaign in the Caribbean, the three nations highlight a tough Group A which also includes Sri Lanka and a qualifier.

Australia will play India in the 2020 tournament opener at Sydney Showground on 21 February, before the top two teams from the group progress to the semi-finals.

“When I saw the fixture announcement I went dammit, trying to avoid [India],” Australia wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy said. “India are such a powerhouse in the cricket world and especially at the moment in the women’s game.”

World No 5 India beat Australia in the semi-finals of the one-day World Cup in 2017 and in the group stage of last year’s World T20 before they were knocked out in the semi-finals.

New Zealand are one of the most dangerous teams, ranked No 3 in the world behind Australia and England. Meanwhile England, West Indies and South Africa headline the other group, with Pakistan and a qualifier rounding out the five.

The final will then be played at the MCG on 8 March, which officials are hoping to sell out and set a new attendance record for a stand-alone women’s event.

Australia’s men play Pakistan in their opener at the SCG on 24 October, as they begin their bid to win the title for the first time. It doesn’t get any easier after that, with defending champs the West Indies awaiting in Perth on 28 October.

“It’s a solid start for us, Pakistan ranked No 1, come up against the Windies,” vice-captain Alex Carey said. “For us it is really exciting to be up against the best really early in the competition. t’s a long way away, but momentum going into the finals will be so crucial. To start thinking about it is really exciting.”

New Zealand and two qualifiers are also in Group A, while India, England, South Africa, Afghanistan and two qualifiers make up Group B

source: theguardian.com