Action packed games, super overs, big upsets, and more: we have been getting everything at the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
As we complete a week of action in the US and West Indies, here’s our predictions for the games taking place on Day 7 of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Men’s T20 WC ’24 Match 14: Afghanistan vs New Zealand | 05:00 IST, June 8
Afghanistan take on New Zealand in the first game of the day, the Asian team having started strong with a 125-run victory in their opening match against Uganda.
For the Kiwis, this will be their campaign opener as they enter the tournament on the back of a tied series against Pakistan.
Afghanistan are one of the most dangerous teams in the competition, with a powerful batting line-up backed up by a strong spin bowling unit. Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz will be key for the Afghans for a strong start, while Rashid Khan, Fazallaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman will pose a big threat to the New Zealanders.
With the Kiwis boasting the likes of Glenn Philips, Kane Williamson, Mark Chapman, and Lockie Ferguson, it should be a tight contest between the two sides.
At Providence, where there is good purchase for the spinners, I’m going with a bold prediction and give the Afghanistan squad the edge in this encounter.
Fantasy XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Kane Williamson, Mark Chapman, Glenn Philips, Daryl Mitchell, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ish Sodhi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Trent Boult
Venue: Providence
Winner Prediction: Afghanistan
Men’s T20 WC ’24 Match 15: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka | 06:00 IST, June 8
The second game of the day is a Group D encounter between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, with the 2014 T20 WC champions coming into the game on the back of a horror show against South Africa. For the Bangla Tigers, this will be their first game of the campaign as they come off a poor showing against the US in a recent T20I series.
Given Sri Lanka’s current form and the experience in the Bangladeshi camp, the latter should take a win against their Asian rivals. The likes of Shakib Al Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, and Tanzid Hasan can be expected to play an important role.
Fantasy XI: Kusal Mendis, Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Wanindu Hasaranga, Angelo Matthews, Shakib Al Hasan, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Mustafizur Rahman
Venue: Dallas
Winner Prediction: Bangladesh
Men’s T20 WC ’24 Match 16: Netherlands vs South Africa | 20:00 IST, June 8
In Group D, we will also see the Netherlands and South Africa face off against each other, both of them arriving on the back of wins in their respective opening games. While the Dutch took down Nepal in their opening game, South Africa edged out Sri Lanka in a low-scoring thriller.
The Netherlands had Tim Pringle and Logan van Beek star with the ball as Max O’Dowd took them home with the bat. They will be looking up to their batters once more against a fiery South African pace attack on a New York pitch that is sure to give them a hard time. Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, and Marco Jansen will be licking their lips at the prospect of playing on a bowler-friendly pitch.
While the likes of Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, and Heinrich Klaasen didn’t have much to do in their opening game, a powerful batting line-up that rounds out a well-balanced team makes the Proteas clear favourites in this encounter.
Fantasy XI: Quinton de Kock, Max O’Dowd, Vikramjit Singh Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Bas de Leede, Logan van Beek, Kagiso Rabada, Tim Pringle, Anrich Nortje
Venue: New York
Winner Prediction: South Africa
Men’s T20 WC ’24 Match 17: Australia vs England | 22:30 IST, June 8
The final game of Day 7 of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is the big-ticket encounter as we have the Ashes rivalry moving over to T20I. Defending champions England face Australia in what is the biggest match of the tournament so far.
Two powerhouses and winners of the last two editions of the Men’s T20 World Cup, Australia are coming off the back of a nervy win against Oman, while England had their match against Scotland washed out.
While the Australians, boasting the likes of David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Travis Head, and Glenn Maxwell, can turn around any game on their day, they will be facing one of the tournament favourites and T20 powerhouses in England.
Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, and Liam Livingstone provide incredible firepower to the English batting line-up. With Jofra Archer back in the mix, the English bowling unit also gets a massive boost, with Adil Rashid, Reece Topley, and Mark Wood leading what is already a strong line-up.
We should be in for an exciting encounter, in which England holds the advantage.
Fantasy XI: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Glenn Maxwell Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Reece Topley
Venue: Bridgetown, Barbados
Winner Prediction: England
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