With the Indian Premier League 2024 season having culminated the focus for many teams will now turn to the T20 World Cup 2024. England came into the tournament as the defending champions having won the title in 2022. Australia on the other hand have been one of the best teams in the ICC tournaments last year.
Hosts West Indies have won the tournament twice and have players who have a good pedigree in T20 cricket. With the wickets in West Indies likely to aid the slower bowlers most of the Asian teams will fancy their chances of taking the title home.
Pakistan were the last team to announce their squad for the tournament during their series against England as we get closer to the start of the warm-up matches and the main tournament each of the players included in the squad will want to do their best and try to win the title and take it back home.
Here is the rating for the top ten teams based on their final squads:
10. Bangladesh – 2/10
The Bangladeshi squad will be led by Nazmul Shanto and their preparation for the tournament hasn’t been great. They have just lost the series to the unfancied USA side by a 2-1 margin. Shakib Al Hasan has made a return to the team and will look to play a key role for his side and look to lend his experience. One of the biggest shortcomings Bangladesh have is a lack of a good opening pair and an experienced spinner to support Shakib Al Hasan.
9. Sri Lanka – 3/10
Former champions Sri Lanka will be looked at closely with some of their players having a record in T20 cricket. Despite the presence of star players’ form and injury issues, a few players could see the 2014 T20 World Cup winners struggle during the course of the campaign.
8. Afghanistan, 3/10
Rashid Khan has been appointed the captain of the Afghanistan which is a mix of youth and experience. Mohammad Nabi the senior statesman of the side has also been included in the team. Afghanistan are one of the most exciting sides but their lack of experience playing in the Caribbean could be a major hindrance this time.
7. West Indies, 4/10
Two-time champions and hosts of the tournament, West Indies will start as one of the favourites for the tournament. The likes of Andre Russell and Nicholas Pooran have had an amazing season in the IPL. The other players in the squad will need to up their performances if they have to win the tournament for the 3rd time.
6. Pakistan, 4/10
2009 T20 World Cup winners Pakistan will be considered one of the outside favourites for the tournament. In Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, they have two match winners who can change the course of the game with ease. Pakistan face their biggest drawback with their openers struggling and Shadab Khan not able to find his form. Their recent loss to England also showed that their bowling is solely dependent on Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah with Haris Rauf rusty post his injury.
