Group C preview: West Indies headline evenly matched quintet
The Caribbean side will fancy their chances of reaching the second round despite being drawn alongside some talented teams.
Two-time champions and co-hosts West Indies are grouped with New Zealand, Afghanistan, Uganda and Papua New Guinea at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
West Indies and New Zealand are the top-ranked teams in Group C, but will face strong resistance from Afghanistan, Uganda and Papua New Guinea as they aim to make it through to the second round.
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West Indies
A series victory against defending champions, England, towards the end of last year revealed how dangerous a full-strength West Indies side can be. Despite their lacklustre performance in the 2022 edition, the Rovman Powell-led side pose a major threat this time around.
They are well covered in all departments with several all-rounders and big-hitters, capable of swinging games, adding to their x-factor. The surprise inclusion in their squad for the tournament was Shamar Joseph, uncapped in T20Is until featuring against South Africa recently, but clearly a supreme talent in the making as he showed in Australia during the Test series at the start of the year.
West Indies also get a fairly easier start to the tournament with games against the lower-ranked teams in the group, PNG and Uganda. If they start well, the co-hosts will be favourites to top the group.
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 made very little change from the 2022 edition to this one with their squad selection. It highlights the consistency in selection on the one hand, and also how well-rounded the Blackcaps unit is.
The team are also well prepared for the event with 36 T20Is under their belt since the end of the last T20 World Cup, the most among full-member teams.
The depth of talent at their disposal was evident in the recent T20I series in Pakistan, where a second-string squad managed to level the series.
Kane Williamson, who will be playing his sixth T20 World Cup, will lead a strong side that has a wealth of experience alongside the exuberance of youth in the likes of Rachin Ravindra, who sizzled with the bat in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and the exciting Finn Allen.
Veterans Trent Boult and Tim Southee will lead the pace attack that also has Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry. There are ample options in the spin department too with Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Michael Bracewell and Ravindra.
New Zealand open their campaign against Afghanistan in Guyana and then take on 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
Afghanistan are ranked 10th in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings, but are more than capable of pulling off big wins.
They recorded series victories against UAE (twice), Pakistan and Ireland since the end of the last T20 World Cup and also reached the final of the Asian Games Men's Cricket Competition, where they lost to India.
The squad is boosted by the return of Rashid Khan after the leg-spinner’s long injury layoff. He leads a versatile spin department that also has the likes of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Nangyal Kharoti and veteran Mohammad Nabi.
Afghanistan begin their campaign 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
Uganda
Uganda secured a 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 as they sealed their berth in the mega event.
Uganda have a stellar record leading up to the tournament with 41 wins in their last 49 T20Is, a win percentage of 83.67 percent.
Led by Brian Masaba, Uganda will feature in the tournament with plenty of experience in the squad. The 43-year-old Frank Nsubuga aside, the squad also features Alpesh Ramjani, who was one of the nominees for the 2023 ICC Men’s T20I cricketer of the Year.
Uganda play their first three games in Guyana and have the opportunity to spring a surprise from 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
Like Uganda, PNG come into the tournament with an impeccable record of 14 wins in their last 18 games. They are led by the enterprising Assad Vala, PNG are set to appear for the second time at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Papua New Guinea maintained an unbeaten record in the qualifiers, winning six consecutive matches.
With plenty of all-rounders in the squad, PNG have a versatile unit that can test the bigger teams in the group.
Papua New Guinea kicks off their campaign with a challenging opening match against the host nation, West Indies, on June 2. They then face Uganda on June 5, followed by matches against 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
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