It’s coming down to the crunch in the T20 World Cup with some teams moving towards playing their final matches in the tournament. James Richardson previews matches 20-24.
There are some huge matches awaiting through the week before the knockouts are settled at the weekend.
Tuesday 1 November
Afghanistan | Tie | Sri Lanka (06:00) *betting tba
It is do or die for both sides who will also need some very specific conditions to be met for them to progress.
Afghanistan and Sri Lanka have threatened to compete but failed to gather the results needed to put the top sides under pressure.
Sri Lanka have the makings of a very good team and would love to ensure they qualify for the next tournament’s Super 12s directly having had to fight through the preliminaries at the last two editions.
Afghanistan have an ageing group of players now but understandably as there are serious outside influences on the talent pipeline.
The Islanders should be able to get the job done against Afghanistan.
England 62/100 | Tie 25/1 | New Zealand 13/10 (10:00)
England and New Zealand are battling for a semi-final place with the Black Caps sitting on top of the tree.
To keep their fate in their own hands, England must win this match.
Meanwhile, New Zealand could clinch a semi-final place if they can put England away.
England and New Zealand had matches rained off but Jos Buttler’s team also lost a rain-hit match to Ireland which has left them playing catch up.
It’s do or die for England who must win here. Back this uber-talented team to do just that!
Tuesday 2 November
Zimbabwe 46/100 | Tie 25/1 | Netherlands 7/4 (06:00)
Zimbabwe are far from out of the race for the semi-finals and could move ahead of India into second place in the group with a victory over the Netherlands.
The Netherlands are winless in three matches and out of the running now.
However, the Dutch could have a big say in who makes the semi-finals as they finish with matches against Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Sikandar Raza has been at his best for much of this tournament but Zimbabwe need more from him if they are to make the most of their win over Pakistan.
The men from Southern Africa are tipped to keep their play-off charge alive with a win over the Dutch.
India 1/6 | Tie 25/1 | Bangladesh 9/2 (10:00)
India will know if Zimbabwe have overtaken them on the log when they start this match against Bangladesh.
Bangladesh are also still in the running for the semi-finals and will certainly be motivated to take down their neighbours to the west.
India will feel the pressure of expectation after slipping to defeat against South Africa which leaves them vulnerable to being bumped down as low as fourth if they lose this match.
Bangladesh have edged out the Netherlands and Zimbabwe but were soundly beaten by South Africa.
India are a top class team and should be able to bounce back against a Bangladesh outfit who haven’t looked too convincing in the Super 12s.
Thursday 3 November
Pakistan 13/10 | Tie 25/1 | South Africa 62/100 (10:00)
Another match where neither side will feel they can get away with losing and another blockbuster clash.
This couldn’t be a closer contest between two very good but flawed teams.
Almost every other Proteas top-order batter has made a meaningful contribution, but Temba Bavuma has struggled throughout and looks to have lost confidence.
South Africa will target getting the wickets of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as a priority.
Rizwan and Babar haven’t been at their best in this tournament. With this in mind, back the Proteas to win here.
