The ICC T20 World Cup now shifts its focus to Group C, which includes Afghanistan, New Zealand, West Indies, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea.
Afghanistan
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Afghans are not a side to take lightly in any tournament.
Hashmatullah Shahidi’s side had a superb 50-over World Cup in 2023, but they missed out on the semi-finals by just two points.
Afghanistan won four matches in the Super 10 stage, stuning England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Embed from Getty ImagesThey were close to knocking Australia out but were denied by Glenn Maxwell’s stupendous double-century on one leg.
USA Coach Stuart Law was praised for this Afghan side and thinks they threaten any team.
“I love the way they play their cricket. There’s no fear in the way they go about it,” “They are always aggressive, always attacking. I haven’t seen too many defensive players and the defensive players don’t seem to be thrust into the main team a lot.
Law: Al Jazeera
Squad:
Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik. Reserves: Sediq Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, Saleem Safi
Ones To watch: Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Afghan Captain is the one to watch in this year’s tournament. 138 wickets in 85 matches, at a strike rate of 14.1 and economy of 6.07 in a brilliant stat in T20 Cricket.
Since many of these players are involved in franchise T20 Leagues worldwide, this team should be a threat in any tournament.
Rashid took just 10 wickets in this year’s IPL, which aren’t his best stats, but he can still be a threat with bat and ball if given the opportunity.
Do not discount his fellow Off Spinner Mujeeb either.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe 23-year-old has 58 wickets, at an economy of 6.37 and an average of 18.13, in 45 T20 Internationals.
Schedule:
4th June: Afghanistan vs Uganda: Guyana: 01:30 am
8th June: New Zealand vs Afghanistan: Guyana: 01:30 am
14th June: Afghanistan vs Papua New Guinea: Trinidad 3:30 pm
18th June: West Indies vs Afghanistan: St Lucia: 01:30 am
If the Afghans get through this group, they will threaten any side in this World Cup.
New Zealand
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite having just one Test Championship Title, the Kiwis are also an experienced outfit in ICC tournaments.
They reached the 2021 tournament final but were beaten by noisy neighbours Australia by eight wickets.
Embed from Getty ImagesSchedule:
8th June: New Zealand vs Afghanistan: 00:30 am, Guyana
13th June: West Indies vs New Zealand: 01:30 am, Trinidad
15th June: New Zealand vs Uganda: 01:30 am, Trinidad
17th June: New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea: 3:30 pm, Trinidad
Squad:
Kane Williamson (captain), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.
Reserve: Ben Sears.
One To Watch: Daryll Mitchell
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Black Caps have a squad full of high-quality players, and the hard-hitting All-rounder is one of them.
He has 1,260 runs from 63 T20 Internationals at a strike rate of 138.6 and an average of 26.2.
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite the Chennai Super Kings not making it to the playoffs of the IPL, Mitchell was their third-highest run scorer of the season, with 318 runs at a strike rate of 142.60.
Can he make the most of his superb form in the Caribbean and West Indies?
West Indies
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Co-hosts and two-time champions love playing this format.
They are currently ranked the fourth-best side in the world and have an arsenal of highly talented players.
But can they handle the pressure of being a host nation?
Squad:
Rovman Powell (captain), Alzarri Joseph, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd.
Reserves: Kyle Mayers, Matthew Forde, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh, and Andre Fletcher
One To Watch: Brandon King
Embed from Getty ImagesAs always, the West Indies inherit a team full of explosive hitters, but the 29-year-old from Jamaica has come of age.
In 2023, he was the fifth-highest run-scorer for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the CPL(Caribbean Premier League) with 288 runs at a rate of 145.45.
He has 1,309 runs in 50 T20 Internationals at a strike rate of 134.94, including 10 half-centuries, with a top score of 85 against India in 2023.
Can he make an impact in his home tournament?
Schedule:
2nd June: West Indies vs Papua New Guinea, Guyana, 15:30
9th June: West Indies vs Uganda, Guyana, 01:30
13th June: West Indies vs New Zealand, Tarouba, 01:30
18th June: West Indies vs Afghanistan, 01:30
Can the Windies put on a show in their conditions?
Uganda:
Embed from Getty ImagesPapua New Guinea became an associate member of the ICC in 1973, just before the nation gained independence in 1975.
They played their first game that same year against the West Indies,, who beat them by four wickets later that year.
The Papuans then participated in their first tournament, the 1979 ICC Trophy, but failed to advance to the knockout stages.
It wasn't until 2021 that they made their first appearance in the 2021 T20 World Cup, but lost all three games in the Group Stages.
Schedule:
2nd June: West Indies vs Papua New Guinea, 3:30 pm: Guyana,
6th June: Papua New Guinea vs Uganda: 00:30: Guyana
14th June: Afghanistan vs Papua New Guinea: 3:30 pm: Trinidad
17th June: New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea: 3:30 pm: Trinidad
Squad:
Assadollah Vala (c), Alei Nao, Chad Soper, CJ Amini, Hila Vare, Hiri Hiri, Jack Gardner, John Kariko, Kabua Vagi Morea, Kipling Doriga, Lega Siaka, Norman Vanua, Sema Kamea, Sese Bau, Tony Ura,
One To Watch: Tony Ura
Embed from Getty ImagesWith 1,618 runs at a strike rate of 156.02, the right-handed Keeper-Batsman is the one to watch for the Papuans in this tournament.
According to ESPNCricinfo, he helped PNG qualify for the U-19 World Cup in 2008 by scoring 74 against Vanuatu in the qualifiers. He smashed 76 in 55 balls against Bermuda to hand his team a famous win.
He scored a half-century to help Papua New Guinea set up a score of 171 in the Hong Kong Tri Series Final in March 2024.
Papua New Guinea ended up winning the match by 86 runs.
What sort of impact will he have on the World Cup?
So this is all the latest for Group C of the T20 World Cup.
Image Credit: Deposit Photos