T20 World Cup Group C Preview: Strengths, weaknesses, key players, predictions and more

Group C of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with a diverse mix of cricketing talent from around the globe set to clash on the field. Group C of the T20 World Cup features an intriguing three-team battle between New Zealand, West Indies, and Afghanistan for the top two spots. Additionally, the presence of Papua New Guinea and Uganda adds the potential for upsets. Each of the top three teams in this group has distinct strengths: New Zealand is a balanced squad, Afghanistan relies more on its bowlers, and West Indies has opted for a batting-heavy side.

Group C Preview

1. West Indies

Led by Rovman Powell, the West Indies team enters the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with high hopes and a formidable lineup. Despite a lackluster performance in the previous edition, the Caribbean side boasts a balanced squad with several all-rounders and big hitters capable of turning the game on its head.

See Also: T20 World Cup 2024, Match 1: USA beat Canada by 7 wickets

Key Players

Rovman Powell

The all-rounder has been in excellent form since taking over captaincy duties in February 2023. The right-hander has enjoyed a promotion up to five in the order and averages close to 40 with a strike rate of 170 since the last World Cup. Powell has a strong preference for facing pace bowling through the death overs, where his strike rate jumps to 197.

Akeal Hosein

Left-arm spinner Hosein has quickly developed into a key part of the West Indies bowling attack. He is a powerplay specialist and has bowled 52% of his overs in this phase since the last World Cup, operating at a quicker and flatter trajectory than most spinners, with 65% of his deliveries above 56 mph. Right-hand batters find Hosein particularly tough to get away; he concedes under eight runs per over against his preferred match-up.

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

West Indies: 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

2. New Zealand

New Zealand approaches the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a consistent squad, highlighting their stability and well-roundedness. Led by the seasoned Kane Williamson, the Blackcaps boast a wealth of experience alongside promising young talents like Rachin Ravindra and Finn Allen. With a strong emphasis on team balance, New Zealand features a formidable pace attack led by Trent Boult and Tim Southee, complemented by spin options like Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi.

Key Players

Finn Allen

The right-hander’s boundary-hitting ability in the first half of the innings is phenomenal and will be key in providing the platform to build big totals. His powerplay strike rate of 149 in this World Cup cycle is among the highest of any player in T20 history. He will need to combine his raw power with maturity to turn those cameos into meaningful totals.

Mitch Santner

Left-arm spinner Santner has a phenomenal record in the Caribbean, averaging under 17 with the ball at an economy of 5.5. In no other geographical area in the world does he have a better bowling record? His ability to subtly change his speed, flight, and trajectory will make him tricky to face on potentially helpful tracks. With the hit-and-miss Ish Sodhi providing the high-variance leg-spin for the Kiwis, Santner has to offer reliability and a wicket-taking threat.

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

New Zealand: 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

3. Afghanistan

Led by the dynamic Rashid Khan, the team boasts a formidable spin attack featuring the likes of Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi. Afghanistan’s recent series victories against Pakistan and Ireland showcase their growing prowess in the shortest format of the game.

Key Players

Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Dynamic opening batter Gurbaz has been plying his trade in various franchise leagues across the globe, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), Major League Cricket (MLC), and ILT20. In the powerplay, he will look to take on seam bowlers down the ground and pounce on any bowlers who overpitch. Since the end of the last World Cup, Gurbaz has more than doubled the number of runs than any other Afghanistan batter (1,504) and achieved this at a strike rate of 143.

Rashid Khan

Widely regarded as the best T20 bowler operating today, Rashid’s skills are in high demand across T20 franchise leagues globally. His brand of fast and direct mystery spin has been puzzling batters over his nine-year international career. Across this World Cup cycle, his wickets have come at an average of just below 20 and at a miserly economy rate of under seven. No bowler has taken more T20 wickets this decade than him.

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

Afghanistan: 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

4. Uganda

Uganda’s journey to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 has been nothing short of impressive. Coming off a stellar performance in the Africa region qualifier, where they secured their spot with convincing wins, Uganda enters the tournament with confidence and determination. Led by Brian Masaba, the team brings a blend of experience and emerging talent to the global stage.

Key Players

Simon Ssesazi

Consistent left-hander Ssesazi is his country’s leading run-scorer in T20 internationals and has been the leading run-scorer across all nations in this World Cup cycle. His strike rate has been above 130 against both pace and spin in this time, and his average of 43 against seamers provides great stability at the top of the order.

Alpesh Ramjani

Mumbai-born left-arm spinner Ramjani has taken 70 wickets from his 39 T20Is at an average of just 8.88. He is an all-phase bowler and brings consistency throughout, but through the middle overs, he has taken 33 wickets and concedes just 4.37 runs per over.

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

Uganda: 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

5. Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea (PNG) arrives at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a sense of excitement and ambition. Led by Assadollah Vala, PNG brings a blend of talent and enthusiasm to the tournament. Their unbeaten record in the qualifiers, winning six consecutive matches, underscores their potential as a competitive force on the global stage.

Key Players

Tony Ura

Right-hander Ura is the backbone of the Papua New Guinea team. Opening the batting, Ura has been the leading run-scorer since the last World Cup, and he is the best run-scorer for his country overall in this format. His runs also come quickly – his strike rate of 151 in this cycle is the highest of any PNG batter to face more than 50 balls. He strikes at over 150 against both pace and spin and loves a flying start, striking at 166 in the powerplay. He’s the only PNG batter to have a century in international T20s.

Charles Amini

The leg-spinner has a crucial role as the main spinner in a side that has generally been very pace-heavy. Since the last World Cup, Amini has bowled comfortably more than half of the spin deliveries sent down by PNG, taking 18 wickets. On Caribbean surfaces, his performance will be significant to his side.

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

Papua New Guinea: 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

Group C Prediction: Top Two Teams

Given their experience and squad strength, New Zealand and the West Indies are the favorites to advance from Group C. Afghanistan has the potential to upset the established order, while Uganda and PNG can spring surprises if they play to their strengths.

The Caribbean conditions, known for their slower pitches, will favor spinners and all-rounders. Teams with strong spin attacks and adaptable batting lineups will have an advantage.

Each team in Group C must capitalize on their strengths and adapt to the conditions to advance. Consistency and strategic play will be key to securing a spot in the Super Eight. From the batting powerhouses of the West Indies to the spin prowess of Afghanistan, the competition promises to be fierce. As the tournament unfolds, cricket fans worldwide will be treated to a spectacular display of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship.