Who will qualify for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022? Semi-Final day preview
In the fight for T20 World Cup tickets, Zimbabwe face 2021 participants Papua New Guinea, while the Netherlands stand in the way of USA’s lofty ambitions of their first global event.
Bulawayo Athletic Club, 1:30pm
The Netherlands may have avoided Zimbabwe by virtue of finishing top of their group undefeated, though Scott Edwards’ men face the tough proposition of a buoyant American side, who will no doubt fancy their chances at the Athletic Club.
Monank Patel’s men made headlines with a storming eight-wicket win over Jersey, underlined by a blistering century from left-handed opener Steven Taylor.
A mainstay of the USA side, Taylor brought up the three figures with a match-clinching six, hitting a total of 17 boundaries in his 55-ball stay. Making runs in USA’s comprehensive win over Singapore, Taylor then kept Zimbabwe on their toes with a knock of 46 (32).
The leading run-scorer of the tournament is joined by his skipper at the top of the order, and a well-set line-up underneath capable of accelerating in the middle and death overs.
The Dutch on the other end have been extremely tight with the ball, conceding just 317 runs across their three matches. Fred Klaassen’s return has provided a breath of fresh air for the men in orange, with his athletic left-arm medium fast bringing nine wickets at an average of under six.
The leading run-scorer in Group B, Dutch opener Max O’Dowd holds the key for his side, with the experience of Tom Cooper also crucial in the middle overs.
The USA are missing Ali Khan after his fractured forearm sustained earlier in the tournament, with D Siva Kumar his replacement in the squad.
**Predicted USA XI:**Steven Taylor, Monank Patel (c, wk), Aaron Jones, Jaskaran Malhotra, Gajanand Singh, Marty Kain, Sushant Modani, Nisarg Patel, Cameron Stevenson, Saurabh Netravalkar, Rusty Theron
**Predicted Netherlands XI:**Max O’Dowd, Stephan Myburgh, Bas de Leede, Scott Edwards (c, wk), Tom Cooper, Teja Nidamanuru, Tim Pringle, Logan van Beek, Fred Klaassen, Aryan Dutt, Shariz Ahmad
Queens Sports Club, 1:30pm local time
Grouped alongside fellow 2021 tournament participant the Netherlands, it was always going to be a tough path for the Barramundis, who now must beat the tournament favourites in their own backyard at the Queens Sports Club.
Zimbabwe have been clinical in their campaign thus far, particularly with the bat through the experience of Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams. Wickets have not been abundant, but the Chevrons have kept things quiet with the ball to ensure their hot start.
Scraping through thanks to net run rate after a defeat to Hong Kong, Assad Vala’s side must first answer questions with the bat.
With the ball, the Barramundis may take a leaf out of Jersey’s book, after the Channel Islanders held Zimbabwe to just 146.
Chuggy Perchard deployed seven bowlers, including himself, holding the hosts to 115/7 in the 18th over, not allowing their opponents to settle with a bevy of bowling changes.
Vala has a number of options across spin and pace and may look to run with the same gameplan, though his men have been a little pricey, leaking 163, 160 and 186 with the bat in group action.
On the batting front, Vala is vital, though Tony Ura and Sese Bau have found form at the right time, and should help their skipper throughout the innings. Moving into the middle order, Ura’s 83 from just 33 balls, against Hong Kong, underlined his ability to motor.
The hosts are without Tendai Chatara (collarbone fracture) who went down on the field during their win against Jersey on matchday two.
**Predicted Zimbabwe XI:**Regis Chakabva (wk), Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Innocent Kaia, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Milton Shumba, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava
**Predicted PNG XI:**Assad Vala (c), Lega Siaka, Charles Amini, Tony Ura, Sese Bau, Norman Vanua, Riley Hekure, Hila Vare (wk), Kabua Vagi Morea, Simon Atai, Semo Kamea
The bottom four teams from the group stage will play in the start of the minor-placing phase, with Jersey taking on Uganda and Hong Kong meeting Singapore.