New Delhi, India

Former Australia opener and batting great Adam Gilchrist feels associate nations like Nepal and Netherlands could surprise some top teams in the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup in the Americas. Gilchrist feels with the emergence of franchise-based T20 Leagues worldwide, players from non-Test playing countries have gained unparalleled exposure and confidence, which they can bring to the bigger stage like this tournament. 

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Nepal and Netherlands are placed in Group D alongside South Africa, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and Gilchrist feels the most exciting games will come out of that group. Adding that some of the players from Nepal are plying their trades in top leagues worldwide, and can come in handy.

“I think Nepal would be a team that might be able to fire a shot,” Gilchrist told SEN Radio on Saturday. “They’ve got a couple of young players who have been in all the big leagues for a number of years now.”

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Speaking of the Netherlands, who has a history of producing mighty upsets in this tournament, Gilly said they could ruffle a few feathers like the previous edition, where they beat South Africa and knocked them out of the semi-final race.

Be it their win over England at the Lord’s in the 2009 edition to beating Ireland in the match of the tournament in 2014, the Dutch have always been a side to look out for. 

“The Dutch always seem to ruffle a few feathers, they always seem to get under the skin, and they’re drawn in the same pool as South Africa again. They nailed them in the T20 World Cup last time in Australia in Adelaide. So, it might be the Dutch,” Gilchrist continued.

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Gilly wary of threat from everywhere

Also shedding some light on the USA’s unexpected T20I series win over Bangladesh, Gilchrist said every team will bring something to the table and that none could be taken for granted.

“That’s in a financial component where they get a little bit of a lick of the ice cream… but also just the experience. With the T20 format, that’s the opportunity for these nations to come in and start trying to ruffle a few feathers but also bed down the cricket programs in their countries.

“Have a look at the results of the USA against Bangladesh in the last few weeks, the US have fired a few shots, they’ve beaten them a few times. It’s about allowing them to get a platform and a chance to shine. Hopefully that firms up the cricket programs in more nations around the world. Both the teams face each other on Tuesday to begin their campaign in the T20 global showpiece,” Gilchrist concluded.