Today’s T20 World Cup 2024 matches: Sri Lanka start campaign against South Africa; Namibia face Oman

Another exciting day of 2024 T20 World Cup on Monday awaits cricket fans, as Namibia take on Oman in Group B, and South Africa take on Sri Lanka in Group D.  The Sri Lanka vs South Africa contest later on Monday will mark the first time two Full Member nations go head-to-head in this T20 World Cup.

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Let’s now take a look at what’s in store as far as both matches are concerned:

Namibia vs Oman

The Namibia vs Oman match in the T20 World Cup will be held at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Sunday (Monday morning in India). The match will begin at 8.30 pm local time, which is 6 am IST on Monday. The toss will be held 30 minutes prior, at 5.30 am IST.

This  is the third time both Namibia and Oman are qualifying for the T20 World Cup. However, this will be the first-ever time these two teams will lock horns against each other in the showpiece tournament.

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T20 World Cup 2024, Group B preview

Namibia will be led by Gerhard Erasmus, who had also led the team in 2022 in Australia. Namibia have big-hitters in the experienced David Wiese, as well as the 28 year-old JJ Smit, both of whom can go hard in the death overs if need be. Even at the top of the order, they have batting firepower in Nikolaas Davin and JP Kotze, whose strike-rate of 116.61 in T20Is may not be impressive but can still be handy with the bat, like he showed with a knock of 78 against Oman in April.

As far as Oman are concerned, they will be led by new skipper Aqib Ilyas. Ilyas is a top-order batter who has experience by his side. In 48 matches, he has scored 1176 runs for Namibia in T20Is, and can be a handy option with spin too. Ilyas ended up as the top wicket-taker in the ACC Premier Cup with 12 scalps this year. And in the fifth T20I against Namibia in April, Ilyas registered figures of 2/21 while also scoring 51 off 29 deliveries.

Oman reached the final of the ACC Premier Cup, where they lost to UAE by 55 runs.

Namibia vs Oman head-to-head (T20Is)

Played: 6

Namibia wins: 4

Oman wins: 2

Squads:

Namibia: Gerhard Erasmus (c), Zane Green, Michael Van Lingen, Dylan Leicher, Ruben Trumpelmann, Jack Brassell, Ben Shikongo, Tangeni Lungameni, Niko Davin, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, JP Kotze, David Wiese, Bernard Scholtz, Malan Kruger and PD Blignaut.

Oman : Aqib Ilyas (c), Zeeshan Maqsood, Kashyap Prajapati, Pratik Athavale (wk), Ayaan Khan, Shoaib Khan, Mohammad Nadeem, Naseem Khushi (wk), Mehran Khan, Bilal Khan, Rafiullah, Kaleemullah, Fayyaz Butt, Shakeel Ahmad.

Sri Lanka vs South Africa

One of the most exciting matches in the T20 World Cup is that of Sri Lanka vs South Africa that will take place at the Nassau County International Stadium in New York. This match will begin at 10.30 am local time, which is 8 pm IST on Monday.

Both Sri Lanka and South Africa have stars who shone in the recently-concluded IPL. Matheesha Pathirana, who took 13 wickets for Chennai Super Kings at an economy rate of 7.68, will be a force to be reckoned with, as will be South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen, who scored 479 runs for Sunrisers Hyderabad as they secured a runners-up finish in the IPL final.

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It’s not just Pathirana who brings express pace for Sri Lanka. Dishan Madushanka and Dushmantha Chameera can also bowl express pace. Nuwan Thushara, meanwhile, has had his highs and lows but his figures of 5/20 against Bangladesh in a T20I n March will act as an inspiration of sorts to do better.

Among spin options, Sri Lanka have the reliable skipper in Wanindu Hasaranga, who registered figures of 2/40 against Ireland in a practice match recently.

As far as South Africa’s bowling attack is concerned, the onus will fall on Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje once again, whereas Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj remain the spin duo.

The Proteas also have two versatile finishers in David Miller and Tristan Stubbs, who proved his worth for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024.

Sri Lanka vs South Africa head-to-head in T20Is:

Played: 17

Sri Lanka wins: 5

South Africa wins: 11

Tied: 1 (SA won Super Over)

Squads:

Sri Lanka: Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Charith Asalanka (vc), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, and Dilshan Madushanka (Reserves: Asitha Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Janith Liyanage)

South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs. (Travelling reserves: Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi).

Where can I watch the T20 World Cup 2024 matches?

Cricket fans in India can watch the matches live on the Star Sports Network as far as telecast is concerned. The matches can also be live streamed on the Disney + Hotstar app (Free) and website (Subscription basis).