The preliminary group stage is moving towards a conclusion after a see-saw opening to the tournament. Curiously the Netherlands are the only side to have won both of their matches and they aren’t guaranteed a place in the Super 12s yet.
Thursday 20 October
Netherlands 46/10 | Tie 25/1 | Sri Lanka 2/13 (06:00)
The Netherlands can clinch top spot in the group with victory but defeat is almost certain to consign them to an exit.
Sri Lanka were upset first up by Namibia but found their form in thumping the UAE and they will move above the Netherlands on net run rate if they win.
A tie or no result could see both teams progress but otherwise that scenario is unlikely with Namibia sporting a far superior net run rate and facing winless UAE.
For Sri Lanka Pathum Nissanka stood tall last time out but they need much more from all their batters.
Sri Lanka found their groove last time out and should be too good for the Netherlands here.
Namibia 47/100 | Tie 25/1 | UAE 7/4 (10:00)
Namibia missed their chance to book a spot in the Super 12s when they were upset by the Netherlands but they have a shot at redemption against the UAE.
The UAE have been well below the group par giving up simple wins to the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.
David Wiese is the dangerman for Namibia while the UAE batters have all struggled to make any sort of impact.
Namibia need to reach the intensity level that they sported against Sri Lanka if they are to reach the Super 12s.
The UAE have been poor and shouldn’t prove too much of a challenge for a fired up Namibian outfit.
Friday 21 October
Ireland 7/4 | Draw 25/1 | West Indies 46/100
The final round of Group B matches shape up like knockout matches because of how the group is poised.
Ireland and the West Indies bounced back from opening match defeats but now need to win again to progress to the Super 12s.
Curtis Campher showed that Ireland have the explosive batting needed to win T20 matches against the best last time out and he and Harry Tector are the men to watch.
The West Indies needed a blitz from Azarri Joseph to knock off Zimbabwe and look more beatable than ever for the Irish.
The Windies are the better team on paper and should have the edge over the Irish.
Scotland 27/20 | Draw 25/1 | Zimbabwe 62/100 (10:00)
Scotland and Zimbabwe slipped up in their second outings after winning first up and now face was is effectively a playoff for a place in the Super 12s.
Sikandar Raza is the clear MVP for Zimbabwe given how he can impact the game with bat and ball and he has already shown that.
Scotland will look to George Munsey to take on the Zimbabwe bowlers and maybe see them through to the Super 12s yet again.
The Scots lost a tight one last time out and they will be the team that goes through if the match is tied or ends in a no result.
Zimbabwe traded blows with the Windies and after blowing Ireland away. Back them to beat the Scots and book their place in the Super 12s.
