Skippers who will lead Twenty20 World Cup teams

Kumar Sangakkara Sri Lanka

Sporting the mantle of Sri Lanka captain for the first time for Sri Lanka is Kumar Sangakkara. He will have his first fling in this prestigious position in the Twenty20 and he will be the cynosure of all eyes as he leads the Sri Lankans.

When the highly successful Mahela Jayawardena who led the country for three years thought it time to quit, Sri Lanka had a ready made standby in Sangakkara. Serving under Jayawardena, the new captain would have learned the tricks of the trade and when stepping on to the Trent Bridge Ground in Nottinghamshire against Australia in the first of two Group Games comes around should be oozing with confidence and there is no doubt that he will accustom himself with success sand distinction.

An aggressive left hand batsman, he has met with success most of the time. Fifties, hundreds and double hundreds came naturally to him. Stylish and aggressive,this wicket keeper batsman is a treat to watch, not only when he is putting the bowlers to the sword, but when standing behind too.

I have been on tours with the team and was witness to his excellence with the bat and brilliance with the gloves. In addition he has the knack in indulge in a bit of sledging that upsets the opponents.

All Sri Lanka will wish well and a successful innings as captain and will be hoping that he will be the second winner of this trophy and would proudly fly in with it at the end of the tourney. Sri Lanka are in Group C with Australia and West Indies

Paul Collingwood England

England are experimenting with a new captain in Paul Collingwood in the Twenty20 World Cup tourney.

Collingwood has had experience as captain and this position would not be new to him. A reliable allrounder who plays straight when batting has scored heavily in all forms of the game.

A right arm medium pace bowler, he bowls wicket to wicket which is very essential in this form of the game. As a fielder he is brilliant and has held some blinders between cover and point.

He is a natural leader of men and he has been given a well balanced team who are sure to support his every move every. Being the host country and knowing full well the conditions and it will be interesting to watch how they will go.

England have not won the 50 over World Cup since its inception in 1975. They have entered many finals, but have not laid their hands on the trophy. Would Collingwood lead them to hold aloft the Twenty20 World Cup? England are in Group B with Pakistan and Netherlands

Mohammed Asraful Bangaldesh

A stylish and talented batsman, Ashraful has strokes allround the wicket and once set can take any attack apart. The century he made against Australian in a limited overs game is still being talked about.

He will lead a depleted team in this tournament,because most of their outstanding cricketers have signed with the Indian Cricket League and have been banned from representing their country.

But Ashraful is confident that he has some capable cricketers under his command and has promised to deliver, instead of only just making up the numbers.

Watch out a few surprises, he says. Bangladesh are in Group A with India and Ireland

To be Continued