Source: ALJAZEERA
ALJAZEERA MEDIA NETWORK
Understand the schedule, pivotal match-ups, and the tournament’s layout as the T20 World Cup progresses to the Super Eights stage, including insights on India's prospects and potential surprises.
The ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup 2024 has advanced to the Super Eights phase in the USA and West Indies.
This 20-team contest has narrowed down to eight teams, with significant upsets already occurring during the group stage eliminations.
Here's what you need to know about the upcoming stage:
The leading two teams from each of the four groups have made it through, with Pakistan and New Zealand being the notable absentees:
After starting with four groups of five teams, the competition now funnels to two groups of four – the Super Eights.
In each group, every team will play against each other once. The top two teams from each group will then progress to the semifinals.
The Super Eights will take place from June 18 to June 25.
Starting on June 2 at Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas, the tournament has transitioned to the Caribbean. Four venues in Barbados, Saint Lucia, Antigua, and Saint Vincent will be utilized.
Semifinals are set for June 27 in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. The ultimate final in Barbados is slated for June 29.
After a tournament filled with unexpected outcomes, like the historic win of USA over Pakistan, each match in this phase is loaded with extra significance.
The USA are set to open against South Africa on Wednesday. The South African squad won all group matches but faced close contests rather than easy victories.
Co-hosts West Indies take on England on Thursday, which will be followed by India's match against Afghanistan. These matches are poised to shape the direction of their respective groups.
On Friday, England faces South Africa, potentially acting as an eliminator for one major team.
Australia begins on Friday against Bangladesh’s spinners. They also have a challenging game against Afghanistan on Sunday.
The key Group 1 match-up will be Australia's game against India, mirroring the 2023 Cricket World Cup and Test Championship finals, likely deciding group standings and semifinal seeding.
After England’s opener with West Indies, they will match up against South Africa before ending against the USA, with the latter possibly causing another upset.
India, ranked number one in T20s, has struggled in the group stages. Their narrow victory over Pakistan underlies their determination to rectify their 2023 World Cup final loss.
Australia aim to unify world cricket titles, having won the World Test Championship and retained the Ashes. A T20 victory would complete their domination post the sandpaper scandal of 2018.
England scraped through by beating Oman and Namibia, despite opening match woes. With notable history against West Indies, a victory would be significant.
South Africa's sharp bowling, led by Anriche Nortje, is balanced by their struggle in reaching past semifinals. The West Indies, untested in their group, remain unpredictable contenders.
Here is a quick look at the tournament’s history.
Group 1: Afghanistan vs India (June 20, Barbados), Australia vs Bangladesh (June 21, Antigua), India vs Bangladesh (June 22, Antigua), Afghanistan vs Australia (June 23, Saint Vincent), Australia vs India (June 24, Saint Lucia), Afghanistan vs Bangladesh (June 25, Saint Vincent)
Group 2: United States vs South Africa (June 19, Antigua), West Indies vs England (June 20, Saint Lucia), England vs South Africa (June 21, Antigua), West Indies vs United States (June 22, Barbados), United States vs England (June 23, Barbados), West Indies vs South Africa (June 24, Antigua)
The ICC is yet to announce the prize money for 2024. The 2022 champions England secured $1.6m.
Various broadcasters and streamers around the globe have been allotted rights by the ICC.
Al Jazeera offers extensive tournament coverage including news, previews, live updates, and post-match insights.
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