Canada Beat Nepal by 63 runs! A positive sign ahead of the Opening match against USA
The ninth edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is just 2 days away, and all teams are gearing up for the mega event.
Canadian Cricket team is appearing first time in the T20 Cricket World Cup, placed in Group A along co-hosts USA, Pakistan, India, and Ireland. The Canadian squad consists of experienced players mostly in their 30’s, with only four under 30, including Pakistani-born, left-arm seamer Kaleem Sana. Canada will face the USA in Dallas on June 1 in the T20 World Cup Opener.
The Canadian cricket team, which faced a major setback by losing the series 4-0 in five T20’s during a preparation tour against the USA, regained confidence with a 63-run victory in the warm-up game against Nepal. Canadian men’s cricket team captain Saad Bin Zafar, who consistently contributes as an all-rounder, will be pleased with the key performances from his players, especially fast bowling due, Dillon Heyliger (4/20 in 2.3) and Jeremy Gordon (2/25 in 4).
Canada squad: Saad Bin Zafar (c), Aaron Johnson, Dilon Heyliger, Dilpreet Bajwa, Harsh Thaker, Jeremy Gordon, Junaid Siddiqui, Kaleem Sana, Kanwarpal Tathgur, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Pargat Singh, Ravinderpal Singh, Rayyankhan Pathan, Shreyas Movva.
Reserves: Tajinder Singh, Aaditya Varadharajan, Ammar Khalid, Jatinder Matharu, Parveen Kumar.
Afghanistan Cricket Team has named experienced Rashid Khan as Captain, supported by veteran Mohammad Nabi. The thrilling prospect for the Afghan team is 20-years-old fast bowler Nangyal Kharoti, who made his debut in March 2024 against Ireland with his impressive performance, taking five wickets in three matches.
Afghanistan Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik
Reserves: Sediq Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, Saleem Safi
Australian squad, under the captaincy of Mitchel Marsh, will participate in the tournament. Marsh, who has been leading the Aussies for the past 12 months, will try to prove his captaincy in his first major assignment in the T20 WC2024.
Australia opens their T20 World Cup campaign against Oman in Barbados on June 5, before Group B fixtures against England, Namibia, and Scotland.
Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Bangladesh is playing a series against co-host USA as a warm-up for the T20 World Cup. Najmul Hossain Shanto, who has captained in all three formats, will lead the team in the mega event. He has the backup of experienced players like Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das, and Soumya Sarkar. Bangladesh is in Group D alongside South Africa, Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, and Nepal, with their first contest against Sri Lanka in Dallas on June 7.
Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Taskin Ahmed, Litton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Shakib Al Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmud Ullah Riyad, Jaker Ali Anik, Tanvir Islam, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib. Travelling reserves: Afif Hossain, Hasan Mahmud
The defending champion England will be led by the experienced Jos Buttler. Buttler has Will Jacks, Jonny Bairstow, and Phil Salt in the top order. England, who is hosting a four-match T20 series against Pakistan as a preparation tour for the T20 WC2024, will start their World Cup campaign against Scotland in Barbados on June 4. They are in Group B alongside Australia, Namibia, Scotland, and Oman.
England squad: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonathan Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, Mark Wood
India Cricket team, as usual, will be led by Rohit Sharma, with Hardik Pandya as vice-captain. The squad also includes experienced players like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah.
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj
Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan
Ireland will be led by thrilling opener of T20 cricket, Paul Stirling. Ireland 15-men squad has already played a T20 series against Pakistan and a triangular series featuring the Netherland and Scotland before the T20 world cup.
Ireland’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024: Paul Stirling (Capt), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.
Namibia, an unbeaten team in the South African T20 qualifier, will be led by experienced all-rounder Gerhard Erasmus. Namibia is drawn in Group B and will play Oman in their tournament opener in Barbados on June 2, followed by fixtures against Scotland, Australia, and England.
Namibia squad: Gerhard Erasmus (c), Zane Green, Michael Van Lingen, Dylan Leicher, Ruben Trumpelmann, Jack Brassell, Ben Shikongo, Tangeni Lungameni, Niko Davin, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, JP Kotze, David Wiese, Bernard Scholtz, Malan Kruger, PD Blignaut
Nepal’s young Cricket squad will be led by Rohit Paudel in the mega event of T20 Cricket.
Nepal squad: Rohit Paudel (c), Aasif Sheikh, Anil Kumar Sah, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Pratis GC, Sundeep Jora, Abinash Bohara, Sagar Dhakal, Kamal Singh Airee
New Zealand Cricket team will start their campaign against Afghanistan in Guyana on June 7 under the captaincy of experienced Kane Williamson. Williamson is leading the kiwi team for the fourth time in his six appearances in T20 World Cup editions. He has experienced Tim Southee, playing in the seventh edition of his career, and Trent Boult, playing in the fifth edition of his career, as Kiwis look for their first title. New Zealand is placed in Group C with co-hosts West Indies, Uganda and Papua New Guinea.
New Zealand 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
Oman cricket team is under the captaincy of batting all-rounder Aqib Ilyas. Oman is positioned in the group B alongside Australia, England, Namibia and Scotland, and will begin their T20 World Cup campaign on 2 June against the Eagles in Barbados.
Oman squad: Aqib Ilyas (c), Zeeshan Maqsood, Kashyap Prajapati, Pratik Athavale (wk), Ayaan Khan, Shoaib Khan, Mohammad Nadeem, Naseem Khushi (wk), Mehran Khan, Bilal Khan, Rafiullah, Kaleemullah, Fayyaz Butt, Shakeel Ahmad, Khalid Kail. Reserves: Jatinder Singh, Samay Shrivastava, Sufyan Mehmood, Jay Odedra
Papua New Guinea, who lost to Canada during qualifiers, will play their second T20 world cup. PNG will be led by Assadollah Vala in the 2024 mega event and will start their journey against heavyweight West Indies on June 2, followed by matches against Uganda on June 5. They will face Afghanistan on June 13 before taking on New Zealand to round out group stage action.
Papua New Guinea squad: Assadollah Vala (c), CJ Amini (vc), Alei Nao, Chad Soper, Hila Vare, Hiri Hiri, Jack Gardner, John Kariko, Kabua Vagi Morea, Kipling Doriga, Lega Siaka, Norman Vanua, Sema Kamea, Sese Bau, Tony Ura
Pakistan under the captaincy of Babar Azam, is in a big turmoil regarding captaincy, shifting the lead from Babar to Shaheen Afridi and then back to Babar. Pakistan, who were the runners-up in the T20 World Cup 2022, are playing a four- match T20 series against the defending champions, England. Babar Azam has big guns in his team from the middle order to the bowling attack, but the bowling attack needs to perform as well as the batting setup to set and chase target of 200 plus. Pakistan will be joined in Group A by arch-rivals India, co-hosts USA, Ireland, and Canada.
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan
Scotland, the unbeaten team in the European T20 World Cup qualifier, will be led by Richie Berrington. Scotland will start their World Cup journey against England in Barbados on June 4.
Scotland squad: Richie Berrington (c), Matthew Cross, Brad Currie, Chris Greaves, Oli Hairs, Jack Jarvis, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Chris Sole, Charlie Tear, Mark Watt, Brad Wheal.
South Africa, who are famously known as chokers of the mega events, will be led by Aiden Markram in the tournament. South Africa has notable comebacks with Quinton de kock, who announced his retirement after ICC2023 World Cup, and Anrich Nortje, who was facing back injury and did not play international cricket since 2023. The pace battery will be led by Kagiso Rabada, with Nortje, Jansen, and Coetzee accompanying him. The spinners of the south African team consist of Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin.
South Africa squad: Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs.
Travelling reserves: Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi.
Sri Lanka Cricket team is the most experienced among the T20 squads. All-rounder Wanindu Harasanga will lead the team, with experienced Angelo Mathews in the final 15 squad. Mathews is playing in his sixth T20 World Cup, as he was part of victorious Sri Lankan squad of 2014 World Cup.
Sri Lanka squad: Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Charith Asalanka (vc), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, and Dilshan Madushanka
Traveling Reserves: Asitha Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Janith Liyanage.
Uganda, under the captaincy of Brian Masaba, will play in the T20 World Cup 2024, placed in the group C along with co-hosts West Indies, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Afghanistan. Uganda was a noteworthy team in the qualifying rounds after beating Zimbabwe and other African fields. Frank Nsubuga is one of the oldest players in the T20 WC2024 at the age of 43.
Uganda 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 (vc), Juma Miyaji, Ronak Patel.
Travelling Reserves: Innocent Mwebaze, Ronald Lutaaya
The USA, in the final 15, includes former New Zealand’s experienced Corey Anderson, who was the squad member of the finalist in the ICC 2015 World Cup. Led by 31-year-old wicket Keeper Patel, the USA has almost the same team for the T20 World Cup 2024 which won the recent T20 series against Canada by 4-0.
USA squad: Monank Patel (captain), Aaron Jones (vice-Captain), Andries Gous, Corey Anderson, Ali Khan, Harmeet Singh, Jessy Singh, Milind Kumar, Nisarg Patel, Nitish Kumar, Nosthush Kenjige, Saurabh Nethravalkar, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Steven Taylor, Shayan Jahangir.
Reserve Players: Gajanand Singh, Juanoy Drysdale, Yasir Mohammad.
West Indies, the host of the mega event with its co-host USA, unfortunately missed the experienced Jason Holder for the mega event due to injury. Rovman Powell will lead the west Indian team, and head coach and two-time T20 World Cup winner Daren Sammy will guide him to use his skills and tactics effectively on the ground.
West Indies Squad: Rovman Powell (c), Alzarri Joseph (vc), 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