Africa-Press – Namibia. USA
Co-hosts USA make their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup debut in 2024, with an opening match against rivals, Canada, in Texas the perfect way to announce themselves.
It has been a rapid rise since a first T20I against the UAE only five years ago, but American cricket has gone from strength to strength since then, with their first victories coming against the Cayman Islands later that year.
A first win against a Test nation came with victory over Ireland in 2021, something they will look to repeat in the World Cup group stage when they meet in Lauderhill.
One to Watch: Batter Aaron Jones will again form the bedrock of the batting line-up. The New Yorker boasts an ODI high score of 123* and will be key to American fortunes.
Canada
Canada are set for their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup debut in 2024 but they are no strangers to the global stage having appeared at four ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups, most recently in 2011.
They have never been beyond the group stage but will be determined to spring a surprise and do so this time around on North American soil after booking their place with victory in the Americas Qualifier.
An opening match against the USA, the oldest rivalry in cricket, is an enticing start before taking on Ireland, where they will hope for a similar result to their side’s first-ever meeting four years ago, when Canada won by four runs.
One to Watch: All-rounder Harsh Thaker has the ability to win matches for Canada with bat or ball in hand. The 26-year-old has impressed in both limited overs formats in the past year and will be determined to step up to the plate this summer.
Namibia
Namibia return for their third-consecutive appearance at an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after cruising through the Africa Qualifier with a perfect record.
The Eagles reached the Super 12 on T20 World Cup debut in 2021 thanks to victories over Netherlands and Ireland before narrowly missing out on reaching the same stage in 2022 despite defeating Sri Lanka.
They will be hopeful of reaching the knockout stages again but will need to navigate first-ever T20 internationals with England and Australia first.
One to Watch: Captain Gerhard Erasmus is the man that makes Namibia tick. The all-rounder has been there from the very start, appearing in Namibia’s first-ever T20I and has been influential ever since. The 2023 ICC Associate Cricketer of the Year will hope to continue that this summer.
Scotland
Scotland make their fourth straight appearance at an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and will have eyes on reaching the knockout stages for only the second time after impressing in qualification.
Scotland edged out Test nation and neighbours Ireland to earn top spot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, a feat that will give them plenty of confidence for their chances across the Atlantic.
An opening match against England is a mouth-watering prospect, and one Scotland will be hoping to set out their stall in as they look to match their 2021 achievement of progressing from the groups.
One to Watch: Bowler Brad Currie could be a match winner for Scotland, with the 25-year-old starring in qualification.
Currie posted figures of five for 13 in the final against Ireland, the best-ever T20I bowling figures from a Scot, and will hope to take that form into the summer.
Oman
Oman return to the biggest stage in men’s T20 cricket after missing out in 2022, and will be determined to make up for lost time.
They ensured their place at this year’s event with victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier, defeating Bahrain in the semi-final to book their ticket before taking home the trophy with a dramatic super over victory against Nepal.
Oman have never made it beyond the group stages of a men’s World Cup and will hope to put that right in 2024, but will need to break records if they are to do so, having never beaten any of their four opponents in Group B.
One to Watch: Vice-captain Aqib Ilyas will look to hold the side together through his work with bat and ball. The 31-year-old is one of the most experienced members of the squad and will lean on all of that in the USA and the Caribbean. He was named Player of the Tournament in the Asia Qualifier and will look to repeat those performances.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea are back for their second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and will be determined to better their 2021 showing, where they finished 16th.
There have been positive strides since then, including comfortable qualification via victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier, as well as regular victories over other Associate Member nations.
The key will be whether this side can make the step up and earn a victory over a Test nation, with three in Group C, something Papua New Guinea have never done before.
One to Watch: No man has scored more T20I runs for Papua New Guinea than Tony Ura, and the 34-year-old will hope to pile on some more this summer.
Ura was part of PNG’s first-ever T20I squad in 2015 and has been integral ever since, top-scoring against both Japan and Philippines in qualification.
Uganda
Uganda make their World Cup debut in the USA and Caribbean after finishing second in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, behind Namibia.
The Cricket Cranes pulled off victory over a Test nation at the first attempt with a win over Zimbabwe in qualifying and will look to pull off the same feat in Group C at the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Qualification sparked jubilant scenes as Uganda succeeded at reaching the final tournament at the ninth-attempt, and they will hope to make their mark once there after being made to wait for so long.
One to Watch: Riazat Ali Shah was the star of Uganda’s victory over Zimbabwe, and the all-rounder will be determined to match that form in the summer.
Shah scored 42 off 28 balls against Zimbabwe, and his quick hitting in the middle order – as well as his effective medium pace – will be key to Ugandan success.
Netherlands
Netherlands are no stranger to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and will look to make it back-to-back progressions from the group stage in 2024.
The Dutch reached the Super 12s in 2022 before bowing out and will have aims of making it to the Super 8s this time around.
Their performance in 2022 booked their spot at the 2024 edition and performances since have provided plenty of further encouragement, with a first victory over South Africa coming later that year.
They will hope for a repeat result when they meet again in Group D, which also features Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
One to Watch: Big hitting Max O’Dowd will hope to continue to lead from the front for the Netherlands, with the opening batter key to their chances. O’Dowd is the top T20I run scorer in Dutch history and will be determined to extend that record in the summer.
Nepal
Nepal are set for their first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup appearance in a decade after booking their ticket to the USA and the Caribbean with a runners-up place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier.
The Rhinos pushed winners, Oman, all the way to a super over in Kirtipur and will take plenty of heart from their impressive performances, which also included a victory over the UAE in the semi-final.
Their last World Cup appearance in 2014 ended in a narrow exit at the first stage despite winning two of their three games, and Nepal will be determined to hang around a little longer 10 years on.
One to Watch: Opener Rohit Paudel has been key to recent Nepalese success and will continue to be so during the summer. The captain is just 21 years old but is the lynchpin of the side. His runs from the top of the order will be crucial.
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