Cricket
Adam Gilchrist backs minnows Nepal and Netherlands to make upsets in T20 World Cup
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Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist has backed Nepal and Netherlands to upset big teams in the T20 World Cup. The anticipation for the marquee tournament is an all-time high, which will begin from June 2 in the USA and West Indies. The T20 World Cup 2024 is set to be the largest edition of the tournament, featuring 20 teams fighting it out for the ultimate glory for the very first time.
Gilchrist made a bold prediction that sides like Nepal and the Netherlands could take Bangladesh and Sri Lanka by surprise. The legendary wicketkeeper-batter mentioned that the Nepal team under the captaincy of Rohit Paudel has grown from strength to strength.
“I think Nepal would be a team that might be able to fire a shot,” Gilchrist told SEN Radio.
“They’ve got a couple of young players who have been in all the big leagues for a number of years now,” he said. T20 World Cup, Group D: Preview
Group D comprises of Nepal, Netherlands, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and South Africa. However, Nepal was dealt with a major blow as they would miss out on the services of Sandeep Lamichhane. The star leg-spinner was denied a visa for the US for a second time in a row, which led to him missing out from the team.
Can Netherlands pull-off an upset?
Gilchrist recalled Netherlands pulling off an upset over South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2022 and affirmed them as a formidable opponent.
“The Dutch always seem to ruffle a few feathers, they always seem to get under the skin, and they’re drawn in the same pool as South Africa again. They nailed them in the T20 World Cup last time in Australia in Adelaide. So, it might be the Dutch,” he said.
“That’s in a financial component where they get a little bit of a lick of the ice cream… but also just the experience. With the T20 format, that’s the opportunity for these nations to come in and start trying to ruffle a few feathers but also bed down the cricket programs in their countries.
Gilchrist was also impressed with the USA team defeating Bangladesh in the T20I series.
“Have a look at the results of the USA against Bangladesh in the last few weeks, the US have fired a few shots, they’ve beaten them a few times.
“It’s about allowing them to get a platform and a chance to shine. Hopefully, that firms up the cricket programs in more nations around the world,” felt Gilchrist. Both the teams face each other on Tuesday to begin their campaign in the T20 global showpiece.”
The tournament opener will be played between the hosts USA and Canada in Dallas on June 2.
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