USA to Host T-20 World Cup for the First Time
Source – The Statesman
The 9th edition of the ICC T-20 World Cup kicks off tomorrow in Dallas as the hosts, the USA, take on Canada in the opening match. This will be the first time the United States of America will be hosting a cricket World Cup. The West Indies are the joint hosts, along with the USA.
This edition of the T-20 WC will be a bigger version compared to the previous ones. A total of 55 matches will be played between 20 teams in 29 days. The games are distributed between the USA and the West Indies, with the USA hosting 16 games and the West Indies hosting 39 games. Also, all the knockout matches will be hosted by the West Indies only. On the other hand, the blockbuster encounter between arch-rivals India and Pakistan will be hosted by the USA on 9th June it will be played in New York.
Talking about the markets Team India will again start as the favorite team in the tournament, with the odds heavily in their favor. Team India has not won any ICC trophy in the past 11 years, but the reputation India holds in the cricketing world and the kind of squad India has again made them the hot favorites for this edition of the T-20 World Cup. India has only won a T-20 World Cup once in the inaugural season under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Team India is followed by 2023 ODI World Cup champions Australia. Australia were the champions of the 2021 edition of the T-20 World Cup but were not able to defend the title in 2022, which was played at their home. They were knocked out of the Super 12 stage, but they bounced back and went on to win the 2023 ODI World Cup, and they also have a dangerous-looking squad led by Micthell Marsh.
England and the West Indies are placed 3rd and 4th in the markets, respectively. England, who had a poor run in India at the 2023 ODI World Cup, took some immediate decisions for their squad, keeping the T-20 World Cup in mind. England is also the defending champions of the World Cup. Jofra Archer, their spearhead pacer, is finally back from injury and was seen bowling against Pakistan. Another silent advantage England holds is that they have kept their bowlers fresh, as most withdrew their names from the IPL.
The West Indies, the joint hosts, are always a dangerous side in a T-20 game. They were unlucky to miss out on qualifying for the 2023 ODI World Cup, but now they are back as hosts and are roaring to prove their worth. They have a destructive-looking unit comprising Pooran, Russell, Hetmyer, Rutherford, etc. Rovman Powell will be the leader of the pack.
South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are some teams in the middle of the table. With pitches offering some turn, Afghanistan can surely put up solid competition.
