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T20 World Cup

Ireland play their first game at the T20 World Cup this morning - so here's what you need to know

Phil Simmons’ side will be hoping to get off to a winning start against Zimbabwe in Sylhet this morning.

When does it all start?

It already has. The first games in Group A were played yesterday with Nepal beating Hong Kong and Bangladesh beating Afghanistan.

Group B — Ireland’s group — begins this morning and Phil Simmons’ side face what is likely to be their toughest test first, coming up against Zimbabwe in Sylhet (9.30am Irish time).

Ireland’s other games are against the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday (1.30pm Irish time) and against the Netherlands on Friday (9.30am Irish time).

How does it work?

For the first time the tournament features 16 teams — all ten full ICC members and six of the associate members, the category that Ireland fall into.

You might remember Ireland winning the World T20 Qualifier back in November which guaranteed their place in the competition.

It all starts with eight teams (the six associates and the two lowest-ranked full members, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh) divided into two groups of four. After an initial round robin this week, the winner of each group will progress to the “Super 10″ stage where they will be joined by the top eight full members — that’s Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

The “Super 10″ is split into two groups of five for another round robin with the best two teams in each progressing to the semi-finals before the final takes place in Mirpur on 6 April.

How do Ireland normally do in the T20 World Cup?

Luck hasn’t always been on Ireland’s side at the T20 World Cup but the tournament was the scene of a famous win in 2009 when they beat Bangladesh in England. That was enough to clinch them a place in the Super 8s and although they lost all three games, it was another important step in this side’s development.

The weather was their enemy in 2010 and again in 2012 when rain meant that their crucial games against England and against the West Indies were declared no results, meaning that Ireland were eliminated when they might reasonably have hoped to shock their opponents.

Have they any chance of getting to the “Super 10″ this time?

Yes they do. Ireland are currently ranked ninth in the world in T20, ahead of full test members Bangladesh (10th) and Zimbabwe (14th) and their Group B rivals the Netherlands (12th).

They will most likely need three wins to progress though and so cannot afford to slip up, starting this morning.

Who’s in the squad?

The squad is: William Porterfield (c), Alex Cusack, George Dockrell,  Ed Joyce, Andrew McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien,  Andrew Poynter, Max Sorensen, James Shannon, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.

How have they been playing lately?

Ireland’s warm-up games this week were a timely reminder of just how tough a challenge they face. They had a comfortable five-wicket win against Nepal but there was a lot to work after the game against hosts Bangladesh on Friday, a 44-run defeat.

But then again they did score a historic win over the world champion West Indies in Jamaica last month, and just narrowly let a second slip, so there’s plenty of reason for confidence too.

Who are the tournament favourites?

Australia are the 3/1 favourites with the bookies just ahead of India (4/1) and Sri Lanka (5/1). The West Indies are 8/1 to defend their crown while Ireland are a 300/1 shot to go all the way.

Where can I watch it?

Sky Sports is your only man.

WIN! Predict Ireland’s score in their World Cup opener and win match tickets

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