Brendan Mccullum
The weight of New Zealand's expectations rests heavily on the shoulders of the 27-year-old. Player of the Year in 2008, he was praised for helping New South Wales qualify for the Champions League T20 tournament last October. Ominously, McCullum was working his way into form as this tournament approached with two knocks in the 80s in his last four IPL innings.
Umar Gul
The pace spearhead insists he will not curb his aggressive style of bowling during the tournament, saying his wicket-taking ability is key if Pakistan are to clinch the title. The 25-year-old, who is the leading wicket-taker in T20 with 24 victims in 14 matches, is in the best form of his career: his recent 4-8 against Australia in Dubai proves that.
Lasith Malinga
The 25-year-old's bowling may be simple and uncomplicated, but he is an integral part of Sri Lanka's pace attack. Hurling the ball as fast as possible, preferably near the batsmen's toes, it could rattle stumps or even break bones, but will never be easy to hit. He took four wickets off four deliveries in a World Cup match two years ago, taking 18 in all on route to the final.
Dwayne Bravo
While his colleagues shivered and slumped to an embarrassing Test series defeat in England, the Trinidadian was gaining crucial T20 experience in the IPL. He has long been touted as a future West Indies star, ever since his debut when he snatched three wickets against England at Lord's.
David Warner
The diminutive opening left-hander and T20 are a natural fit, such has been his extraordinary entry and impact on the abbreviated format. At 22, this year he became the first player in 132 years to debut for the Aussies without playing first-class cricket. Skipper Ricky Ponting compares his rumbustious hitting with former master-blaster Adam Gilchrist.
Keep up with the latest business news from the region with the daily Emirates Business 24|7 newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter, please click here.