T20 World Cup 2024: Super 8 Group A - Asia’s new order takes on mighty Australia

Super Eight battle begins

Australia

Schedule

June 21: vs Bangladesh, North Sound
June 21: vs Afghanistan, Kingstown
June 24: vs India, Gros Islet

Highlight so far

No matter what the format, few things give an Australian cricketer more satisfaction than beating England. The comprehensive 36-run win in Barbados effectively sealed Australia’s place in the Super 8. It also feature the first 200-plus score of the competition.

Must improve

At the risk of looking like fools, we’ll say Mitchell Starc, who has two wickets from three games at an economy rate of 8.80. When it comes to the big matches, few can turn it on quite like Starc does. Expect the fast, swinging yorkers to be directed at nervy batters’ toes.

Super Eights X-factor

Travis Head made centuries against India in two global finals in 2023. Can he extend the pain to a third format? And is Adam Zampa, with nine wickets at an economy rate less than 6, the best T20 spinner in the world?

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Bangladesh

Schedule

June 21: vs Australia, North Sound
June 22: vs India, North Sound
June 24: vs Afghanistan, Kingstown

Highlight so far

Given the bad blood between the two sides over the last few years, the tense, two-wicket win over Sri Lanka was the undoubted highlight. The way they avoided banana peels against the Netherlands and Nepal was equally impressive.

Must improve

Whatever is the opposite of leading from the front, Najmul Hossain Shanto has done that. In four innings, he has just 26 runs, after facing 44 balls. Dismal doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Also read: Team India Head Coach: Gautam Gambhir's conditions accepted

Super Eights X-factor

Mustafizur Rahman has seven wickets at an economy rate of 3.37. No, that’s not a typo. If the pitches in Antigua and Saint Vincent are slow or two-paced, he will once again wreak havoc with his cutters and immaculate control.

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Afghanistan

Schedule

June 20: vs India, Bridgetown
June 23: vs Australia, Kingstown
June 25: vs Bangladesh, Kingstown

Highlight so far

They were so ruthless and efficient in taking apart New Zealand by 84 runs that it didn’t even seem like an upset. And for a team renowned for its spin attack, the fact that the early damage was done by Fazalhaq Farooqi’s pace was the icing on the cake.

Must improve

Mohammad Nabi has been there for every milestone moment in Afghan cricket history. So far in this tournament, he has 31 runs from 44 balls. With matches against the two best all-format teams in the world – India and Australia – looming, the grand, old veteran must find his scoring touch.

Super Eights X-factor

Farooqi leads the way with 12 wickets, but as the pitches get worn in the latter half of the tournament, expect Rashid Khan to come into his own. He was still on the recovery trail during the IPL, but six wickets in four matches in the Caribbean hint at a man who has got his groove back.