Group C Preview: West Indies Lead a Competitive Quintet

Co-hosts and two-time champions, West Indies, find themselves in Group C alongside New Zealand, Afghanistan, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

While West Indies and New Zealand are the top-ranked teams in the group, they are expected to face stiff competition from Afghanistan, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea in their quest to advance to the second round.

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West Indies

The West Indies, led by Rovman Powell, demonstrated their potential with a series victory against defending champions England last year. Despite their underwhelming performance in the 2022 edition, they are considered a significant threat this time around.

The team boasts a balanced mix of all-rounders and big-hitters, capable of turning the tide of games. The squad also includes Shamar Joseph, a promising talent who made his T20I debut against South Africa recently.

With initial matches against lower-ranked teams PNG and Uganda, the West Indies could potentially top the group if they start strong.

Squad

Rovman Powell (c), Alzarri Joseph, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd

Fixtures

Sun, 2 June 2024 – West Indies v Papua New Guinea, Guyana, 10:30 AM LOCAL
Sat, 8 June 2024 – West Indies v Uganda, Guyana, 08:30 PM LOCAL
Wed, 12 June 2024 – West Indies v New Zealand, Trinidad, 08:30 PM LOCAL
Mon, 17 June 2024 – West Indies v Afghanistan, St. Lucia, 08:30 PM LOCAL

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New Zealand

New Zealand’s squad for this edition remains largely unchanged from the 2022 edition, reflecting the consistency in selection and the well-rounded nature of the Blackcaps unit.

With 36 T20Is since the end of the last T20 World Cup, the team is well prepared for the event. Their depth of talent was evident in the recent T20I series in Pakistan, where a second-string squad managed to level the series.

Kane Williamson, playing his sixth T20 World Cup, will lead a strong side that combines experience with the youthful exuberance of players like Rachin Ravindra and Finn Allen.

Veterans Trent Boult and Tim Southee will spearhead the pace attack, while the spin department boasts ample options with Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Michael Bracewell, and Ravindra.

New Zealand’s campaign begins against Afghanistan in Guyana, followed by a match against co-hosts West Indies in Trinidad.

Squad

Kane Williamson (c), 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. Travelling Reserve: Ben Sears

Fixtures

Fri, 7 June 2024 – New Zealand v Afghanistan, Guyana, 07:30 PM LOCAL
Wed, 12 June 2024 – New Zealand v West Indies, Trinidad, 08:30 PM LOCAL
Fri, 14 June 2024 – New Zealand v Uganda, Trinidad, 08:30 PM LOCAL
Mon, 17 June 2024 – New Zealand v Papua New Guinea, Trinidad, 10:30 AM LOCAL

Rachin Ravindra hit 15 fours and a six in his 108

Afghanistan

Ranked 10th in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings, Afghanistan has the potential to pull off major upsets.

Since the end of the last T20 World Cup, they have recorded series victories against UAE (twice), Pakistan, and Ireland, and also reached the final of the Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition, where they lost to India.

The squad is bolstered by the return of Rashid Khan from a long injury layoff. He leads a versatile spin department that also includes Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Nangyal Kharoti, and veteran Mohammad Nabi.

Afghanistan’s campaign begins against Uganda in Guyana on June 3.

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

Fixtures

Mon, 3 June 2024 – Afghanistan v Uganda, Guyana, 08:30 PM LOCAL
Fri, 7 June 2024 – Afghanistan v New Zealand, Guyana, 07:30 PM LOCAL
Thur, 13 June 2024 – Afghanistan v Papua New Guinea, Trinidad, 08:30 PM LOCAL
Mon, 17 June 2024 – Afghanistan v West Indies, St. Lucia, 08:30 PM LOCAL

Rashid Khan strikes with his very first delivery

Uganda

Uganda secured their spot in the T20 World Cup by comfortably defeating Rwanda in their last match of the Africa region qualifier. With five wins in six games, Uganda was the standout team alongside Namibia in the Africa Qualifier.

Uganda boasts an impressive record leading up to the tournament with 41 wins in their last 49 T20Is, a win percentage of 83.67 percent.

Under the leadership of Brian Masaba, Uganda brings a wealth of experience to the tournament. The squad also includes Alpesh Ramjani, a nominee for the 2023 ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year.

Uganda’s first three games are in Guyana, providing them with an opportunity to cause an upset in Group C.

Squad

Brian Masaba (c), Simon Ssesazi, Roger Mukasa, Cosmas Kyewuta, Dinesh Nakrani, Fred Achelam, Kenneth Waiswa, Alpesh Ramjani, Frank Nsubuga, Henry Ssenyondo, Bilal Hassun, Robinson Obuya, Riazat Ali Shah, Juma Miyaji, Ronak Patel. Travelling Reserves: Innocent Mwebaze, Ronald Lutaaya

Fixtures

Mon, 3 June 2024 – Uganda v Afghanistan, Guyana, 08:30 PM LOCAL
Wed, 5 June 2024 – Uganda v Papua New Guinea, Guyana, 07:30 PM LOCAL
Sat, 8 June 2024 – Uganda v West Indies, Guyana, 08:30 PM LOCAL
Fri, 14 June 2024 – Uganda v New Zealand, Trinidad, 08:30 PM LOCAL

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Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea, like Uganda, enters the tournament with an impressive record of 14 wins in their last 18 games. Led by Assad Vala, PNG is set to make their second appearance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Papua New Guinea maintained an unbeaten record in the qualifiers, winning six consecutive matches.

With a versatile squad full of all-rounders, PNG can pose a challenge to the bigger teams in the group.

Papua New Guinea’s campaign begins with a challenging opening match against host nation West Indies on June 2, followed by matches against Uganda, Afghanistan, and New Zealand.

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

Fixtures

Sun, 2 June 2024 – Papua New Guinea v West Indies, Guyana, 10:30 AM LOCAL
Wed, 5 June 2024 – Papua New Guinea v Uganda, Guyana, 07:30 PM LOCAL
Thur, 13 June 2024 – Papua New Guinea v Afghanistan, Trinidad, 08:30 PM LOCAL
Mon, 17 June 2024 – Papua New Guinea v New Zealand, Trinidad, 10:30 AM LOCAL

PNG restricted the Netherlands to 126/7 and chased down the target with five wickets to spare in Dubai in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier match.