Ireland team is all set to kickstart their T20 World Cup first round campaign against Netherlands at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

The Group A will be crucial to determine who reaches the Super 12 stage. The Netherlands have won seven of their 12 T20Is against Ireland so far, so they are naturally more hopeful.

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IRE Team

Ireland, in the past, have won the World Cup against Pakistan (2007), England (2011), West Indies (2015) and Zimbabwe (2015), and Bangladesh (2009 T20 World Cup). Now that they have secured their rapport as one of the strongest teams, they can potentially make a statement in the tournament ahead. 

During their debut tournament in 2009, Ireland surprised everyone by qualifying to the second round of the T20 World Cup. However, they have been unable to make it to the second round since missing out on net-run rate in 2014. 

Despite losing to Canada and UAE this year, Ireland managed to make it to this year’s tournament by reigning their group in the qualifier on net run rate. 

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NED Team

The Netherlands showed the world their game during the T20 World Cup Qualifier tournament by winning it. Netherlands have been one of the most memorable teams to have presented incredibly  interesting moments in T20 World Cup history. Their one-of successes have continued to be remembered, including famous victories against England in 2009 at Lord’s and 2014.

In the 2014 tournament, they defeated Ireland, logging a total of 190 in less than 14 overs and qualifying for the second stage. Thanks to their match winning ensemble  of players including Ryan Ten Doeschate, Ben Cooper, Roelof van der Merwe and Pieter Seelaar, they will potentially make it to the second stage of the T20 World Cup this month, most likely improving on their best performance in the past.