ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024: A Closer Look at the Associate Teams
USA
Co-hosts USA are set to make their debut in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Their journey begins with a thrilling opener against rivals, Canada, in Texas. This marks a significant milestone in American cricket, which has seen a meteoric rise since their first T20I against the UAE just five years ago. Their first victories were clinched against the Cayman Islands in the same year, and they have been on an upward trajectory ever since.
Their first triumph against a Test nation was achieved with a win over Ireland in 2021, a feat they aim to replicate in the World Cup group stage in Lauderhill.
Player to Watch:
Batter Aaron Jones is expected to be the cornerstone of the batting line-up. The New Yorker, who has an ODI high score of 123*, will be crucial to the American team’s success.
Canada
Canada, too, will be making their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup debut in 2024. Despite being newcomers to the T20 World Cup, they have graced the global stage four times in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups, with their most recent appearance in 2011.
They have yet to advance beyond the group stage, but are eager to cause an upset this time around on North American soil, having secured their spot with a win in the Americas Qualifier.
Their opening match against the USA, cricket’s oldest rivalry, promises to be an exciting encounter. They will then face Ireland, hoping to replicate their first-ever meeting four years ago, when Canada won by four runs.
Player to Watch:
All-rounder Harsh Thaker has the potential to be a game-changer for Canada with his prowess in both batting and bowling. The 26-year-old has shown impressive form in both limited overs formats in the past year and is expected to deliver a strong performance this summer.
Namibia
Namibia is set to make their third consecutive appearance at an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, having sailed through the Africa Qualifier with an unbeaten record.
The Eagles made it to the Super 12 on their T20 World Cup debut in 2021, thanks to victories over the Netherlands and Ireland. Despite narrowly missing out on reaching the same stage in 2022, they did manage to defeat Sri Lanka.
They are hopeful of reaching the knockout stages again, but will first have to face England and Australia in their debut T20 internationals.
Player to Watch:
Captain Gerhard Erasmus is the driving force behind Namibia’s success. The all-rounder, who was part of Namibia’s first-ever T20I, has been instrumental in their journey. The 2023 ICC Associate Cricketer of the Year will be looking to continue his good form this summer.
Scotland
Scotland is preparing for their fourth consecutive appearance at an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with ambitions of reaching the knockout stages for only the second time.
They secured the top spot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, edging out their Test nation neighbours, Ireland. This achievement has boosted their confidence for the upcoming tournament.
Their opening match against England promises to be a thrilling encounter, and Scotland will be hoping to replicate their 2021 achievement of advancing from the group stages.
Player to Watch:
Bowler Brad Currie could be a key player for Scotland, having starred in the qualification stage. Currie recorded figures of five for 13 against Ireland in the final, the best-ever T20I bowling figures by a Scot, and will be hoping to carry this form into the summer.
Oman
Oman is making a comeback to the biggest stage in men’s T20 cricket after missing out in 2022, and they are eager to make their presence felt.
They secured their spot at this year’s event by winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier, defeating Bahrain in the semi-final and clinching the trophy with a dramatic super over victory against Nepal.
Oman has yet to advance beyond the group stages of a men’s World Cup, and they are hopeful of changing this in 2024. However, they will need to break records to do so, as they have never beaten any of their four opponents in Group B.
Player to Watch:
Captain Aqib Ilyas will be the glue holding the team together with his batting and bowling skills. The 31-year-old, who was named Player of the Tournament in the Asia Qualifier, is one of the most experienced members of the squad and will be looking to replicate his performances.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is set to make their second appearance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with ambitions of improving on their 16th place finish in 2021.
Since then, they have made significant progress, including a 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 challenge for PNG will be to notch up a victory over a Test nation, something they have never achieved before.
Player to Watch:
Tony Ura, the highest T20I run-scorer for PNG, will be looking to add to his tally this summer. Ura, who was part of PNG’s first-ever T20I squad in 2015, has been a key player ever since, top-scoring against both Japan and the Philippines in the qualification stage.
Uganda
Uganda is set to make their World Cup debut in the USA and the Caribbean after finishing second in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, behind Namibia.
The Cricket Cranes achieved a victory over a Test nation at their first attempt with a win over Zimbabwe in the qualifying stage. They will be aiming to repeat this feat in Group C at the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Qualification sparked jubilant scenes as Uganda succeeded in reaching the final tournament at their ninth attempt. They will be looking to make their mark on the tournament after a long wait.
Player to Watch:
Riazat Ali Shah was the star of Uganda’s victory over Zimbabwe, and the all-rounder will be looking to replicate that form in the summer. Shah’s quick hitting in the middle order, along with his effective medium pace, will be key to Uganda’s success.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is no stranger to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and will be aiming to progress from the group stage for the second time in a row in 2024.
The Dutch team reached the Super 12s in 2022 before bowing out and will be aiming to make it to the Super 8s this time around.
Their performance in 2022 secured their spot at the 2024 edition, and subsequent victories, including a first win over South Africa, have provided further encouragement. They will be hoping for a repeat performance when they meet South Africa again in Group D, which also features Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
Player to Watch:
Max O’Dowd, known for his big hitting, will be leading the charge for the Netherlands. The opening batter is the top T20I run-scorer in Dutch history and will be looking to extend that record this summer.
Nepal
Nepal is set to make their first appearance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in a decade, having secured their place with a runners-up finish in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier.
The Rhinos pushed the winners, Oman, to a super over in Kirtipur and will take confidence from their impressive performances, including 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. Ten years on, Nepal is determined to stay in the competition for longer.
Player to Watch:
Opener Rohit Paudel has been instrumental in Nepal’s recent success and is expected to continue his good form this summer. The 21-year-old captain is the backbone of the team, and his runs from the top of the order will be crucial.