Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist backed Nepal and the Netherlands capable of making upsets in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 which is set to be played in the United States and West Indies.
Gilchrist, who was part of Australia’s World Cup-winning squad in 1999, 2003 and 2007, predicted that Nepal and the Netherlands could take teams like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh by surprise in the upcoming mega event.
"I think Nepal would be a team that might be able to fire a shot," Gilchrist told SEN Radio. "They've got a couple of young players who have been in all the big leagues for a number of years now," he said.
While Gilchrist backed Nepal to do good, it is worth mentioning that Rohit Paudel’s side will be without their star spinner and one of the best important players in the team Sandeep Lamichhane as he was denied the United States visa.
The Netherlands are responsible for one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history when they defeated the mighty South Africa in the 2022 edition.
"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," he said.
"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.”
The Aussie also mentioned USA’s T20I series win over Bangladesh saying that they already fired the shots and could take the world by surprise in the World Cup.
"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,” he added.
"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."
- Adam Gilchrist
