New Delhi, India

Two teams on the verge of elimination, England and Bangladesh, will be in action on Thursday (June 13) in the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. While defending champions England take on Oman in Antigua, Bangladesh and the Netherlands face a crunch encounter in Kingstown. With too much happening in their respective groups regarding standings, results and outside issues, the onus would fall on the outcomes of these two matches.

Advertisment

In Group B, Australia has qualified for the Super 8, while Namibia and Oman are out of the race, having lost three matches played thus far. So, it boils down to England and Scotland, with only one going through to the next round. 

After Josh Hazlewood’s comments on Australia trying to manipulate the result against Scotland to ensure England fails to qualify, the English camp has reacted, with head coach Matthew Mott saying Hazlewood must be joking.

ALSO READ: T20 WC: Wrap-up in New York as bulldozers arrive to dismantle Nassau County Cricket Stadium after IND-USA tie

Advertisment

However, regardless of how Australia plays against Scotland in their last league match, England must beat Oman by a huge margin to stay alive in the Super 8 race. They must beat Namibia in their final group game, similarly with a daunting difference, to stay ahead of their European neighbours Scotland in the Net Run Rate.

Meanwhile, what keeps England at bay is their ageing squad and bowlers not clicking at the right time. Considering they leaked 90 runs against Scotland without picking a wicket in their opener and going for over 200 against Australia, Mott must work on bringing in the right balance. 

Besides, Jonny Bairstow at number four for England hasn’t been the best experiment. 

Advertisment

Bangladesh must cruise

With Sri Lanka almost down and out and South Africa sailing through to the next round, Bangladesh is favourites to become the second team from Group D to qualify for Super 8. 

Against the Netherlands in their latest match in the Caribbean, Bangladesh must win this tie to stay ahead of them, else not only will they sit in the bottom half with just two points in three matches, but their NRR will also be low. 

For The Tigers to make the most of this chance, they must walk past Holland in this tough encounter and ensure they beat Nepal in their last match to confirm their spot in Super 8.