'It's a little bit strange': Josh Hazlewood puts big question mark on T20 World Cup format

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood finds it perplexing that their superior net run-rate after three comprehensive wins will count for nothing in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup. Hazlewood's comments highlight a significant issue with the current format, raising questions about its fairness and the value of early-stage performances.

In this year's tournament, the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced a new format involving 20 teams split into four groups of five. The top two teams from each group advance to the Super 8 stage. Following this, two groups of four will be formed to determine the semifinalists, differing from the previous edition's Super 12 stage with two groups of six.

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Josh Hazlewood unhappy with the T20 World Cup format

Australia qualified for the Super 8 stage on Tuesday with a nine-wicket victory over Namibia, boosting their net run-rate to an impressive +3.580. However, Josh Hazlewood expressed his dissatisfaction with the new format saying that it's a bit strange that the net run rate will not matter in the Super 8 stage.

"Yeah, it's a little bit strange that it doesn't really, it doesn't go through the tournament. This is probably the first T20 World Cup I've played that's set up this way, or first World Cup in general that's set up this way, so it's a little bit different," Hazlewood remarked in the post-match press conference.

"Yeah, the work that you do in the round games and if you go through undefeated and have a good net run rate, doesn't really account for much once you're in the Super Eights. So, yeah, it's a strange run, but that's how it is," added the premier pacer.

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Josh Hazlewood showers praise on Adam Zampa

He was one of the stars of Tuesday's win alongside spinner Adam Zampa who took four wickets to take his tournament tally to eight.

Asked if Zampa is one of the more underrated Australian cricketers around, Hazlewood showered due praise on the leg-spinner.

"Yeah, we certainly do within the team, for sure. We know his importance. We've seen it time and time again in whether it be one day cricket or T20 cricket, often in big tournaments and in big games as well.

"100 T20 wickets, first one there, played the most T20 for Australia as a bowler. So, he's ticking a lot of boxes and continues to. I think the big thing is he continues to improve all the time. He's always working on something and nailing down his lengths or whatever it is so yeah - he's a key part of our team," Hazlewood added. 

(With PTI inputs)