T20 World Cup 2016: Six stars who could be playing their last World Cup

IBTimes UK picks out a half-dozen players who could be playing their last T20 World Cup, which got into full swing on 15 March with New Zealand stunning hosts India in the Super 10 stage in Nagpur.

MS Dhoni (India)

India's most successful captain in Tests and ODIs, MS Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the greatest finishers in limited-overs cricket. First appointed India's captain for the inaugural World T20 tournament in South Africa in 2007 — where he led his team to a thrilling final triumph against arch-rivals Pakistan — Dhoni will look to round out his career by lifting a second World T20 crown at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on 3 April.

Chris Gayle (West Indies)

Among the most destructive batsmen in world cricket, Chris Gayle holds the record for the highest individual score in T20 internationals — 175 not out playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. The 36-year-old's performances at the top of the order will go a long way towards determining if the West Indies can repeat their 2012 World T20 triumph in Sri Lanka.

Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)

A genuine star of the game, Shahid Afridi is under intense pressure after an underwhelming showing from his Pakistan team at the recently concluded Asia Cup in Bangladesh. Pakistan are not among the favourites to win the World T20 but Afridi will hope he can inspire his charges to play above their potential and secure a fairytale World Cup win.

Yuvraj Singh (India)

Player of the tournament in India's 2011 ODI World Cup win, Yuvraj Singh hit six sixes in an over bowled by England's Stuart Broad at the 2007 World T20 tournament. The 34-year-old has established himself in India's batting line-up again after a spell out of the national side and will hope to make amends for his subpar batting effort in the final of the last T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka.

Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka's premier fast bowler has been plagued by injury troubles in the build-up to the World T20 tournament and has been forced to relinquish captaincy duty as a result. Should he return to full fitness, the veteran pacer will have a key role to play as a strike bowler for Sri Lanka and also with his deadly yorkers and slower balls in the death overs.

Shane Watson (Australia)

Player of the series in the 2012 edition of the World T20, Australia's Shane Watson is a match-winner with both bat and ball. The 34-year-old smashed 60 off just 39 balls against West Indies in a warm-up match at the weekend and will hope to power Australia to their first T20 title in India.

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