Aditya ChaudhuriAnother double header ahead of us
Co-hosts USA got the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 underway The second day at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 sees another double header with Sri Lanka and South Africa taking on each other in the big game of the day with Oman and Namibia also set to lock horns in what promises to be an exciting encounter.
Ahead of the games, we take a look at the games and here’s our predictions.
Match 3: Namibia vs Oman | 06:00 IST, June 3
Both teams are playing in their third World Cup with the two associate nations having played a 5 match T20I series earlier in April which Namibia won 3-2. Former South African all-rounder David Wiese and Gerhard Erasmus are two stars Namibia will be looking up to with Erasmus coming in clutch with the ball as well off late. Oman’s Naseem Khushi and Aqib Ilyas have been in good knick with the bat and the latter also rolls over his arm more than often, chipping in with crucial wickets when his team needs him.
At a slowish Bridgetown ground, it will be the spinners who will be the key and although both teams are neck-to-neck Namibia hold the slight edge over Oman in this encounter.
Venue: Bridgetown, Barbados
Winner prediction: Namibia
Match 4: Sri Lanka vs South Africa | 20:00 IST, June 3
The second game of the day will see our first big clash as South Africa take on Sri Lanka. in their first T20I head-to-head since October 2021 It’s been mixed to below average results for both teams with South Africa coming off a four game losing streak, while Sri Lanka have suffered losses to Afghanistan and Bangladesh recently as well.
With captain Aiden Markram, South Africa head into the World Cup with a mix of experience and youth with the likes of David Miller, de Kock and Keshav Maharaj still in the mix for the Proteas. On the other end, Sri Lanka have a exciting squad with the likes of Matheesha Pathirana, coming off a strong IPL season, Maheesh Theekshana and like their opponents they also boast of a couple of experienced veterans in Angelo Matthews, Dhananjaya de Silva, captain Charith Asalanka and Kusal Mendis.
South Africa’s recent struggles will give Sri Lanka the advantage and on the New York track, where the Indian spinners put the Bangladeshi batters in a mix in their recent warm-up game, it should be a close encounter with the Asian team taking the win.
Venue: New York, USA
Winner prediction: Sri Lanka
