Welcome to the final and most crucial leg of the tournament. Afghanistan and Netherlands have already been out of the race to the playoffs, 10 teams are still fighting for the 4 semi-final spots. From here on every single match will change the dynamics of the points table and no team would like to lose from here, a single loss could cost them the semi-final Berth. The competition will be at its peak.
Overview
Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe has had a roller coaster ride so far in the tournament. After having a great year in the shortest format (winning a series against Bangladesh 2-1 and defeating a full-strength Australia in Australia in the 3rd T20I) they began the tournament with high confidence. But after their narrow escape from South Africa, it looked like they are just here to offer 2 free points to their opponents. But again, people started taking them seriously after they defeated Pakistan by 1 Run. A loss against Bangladesh might have dented their chances but they are not out of contention yet. They are the favorites to win this match. Sikandar Raza has been their star player and they have banked on his great form. This will be a do-or-die game for them.
Remaining Matches: Netherlands and India
Qualification Scenario: They have to win both their matches and hope for Bangladesh to lose either of their matches against India and Pakistan
Netherlands: The Netherlands is the only side to have no Points against their name in the points table (though they are not the only winless side in the Super 12 as Afghanistan failed to win a single game as well but they got their points through washouts against Ireland and New Zealand). This will be the best chance for them to earn a pair of points. They have good batting as Bas De Leede, Max O’Dowd and Ackermann have shown the sparks, but they still waiting for the collective performance which hasn’t come yet. In the last match, they dropped underperforming Vikramjit Singh but that did not make any difference as his replacement Myburgh scored just 6 runs against Pakistan. If all of their stars strike together, then there is no reason they can't beat Zimbabwe.
Remaining Matches: Zimbabwe and South Africa
Predicted XI
Netherlands: Stephan Myburgh, Max O’Dowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Tom Cooper, Scott Edwards (C)(WK), Roelof van der Merwe, Tim Pringle, Timm van der Gugten, Fred Klaassen, Paul van Meekeren
Zimbabwe: Regis Chakabva (WK), Craig Ervine (C), Wessly Madhevere, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Tendai Chatara, Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani
Weather and Pitch Report
The weather will be mostly cloudy, but the chances of rain are less. We should have a match without any rain interruptions.
This is the first match of the tournament at the Adelaide Oval. In fact, the last T20I played here was back in 2019. The pitch will be batting-friendly. So a high score encounter is on cards. The toss-winning side is most likely to opt to chase rather than defend.
Match Details
Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Date: Wednesday, 02 November
Time: 2:30 PM local (9:30 AM IST)
Interesting Facts / Milestones
- Zimbabwe have have won all their ODD games while they have failed to win a single EVEN game. Their form guide for this tournament is WLWNWL (oldest first). This is their ODD game.
- Zimbabwe has fetched all 3 different results in their first 3 matches – No Result against South Africa, a win against Pakistan, and a loss against Bangladesh
- This will be the 50th T20I for Scott Edwards
- This will be the 100th T20 Match for Tendai Chatara
- Colin Ackermann needs 77 Runs to complete 500 T20I Runs
- Regis Chakabva needs 78 Runs to complete 1500 T20 Runs
- Brandon Glover needs 4 more wickets to complete 50 T20 Wickets
- Timm van der Gugten needs 8 Wicket to complete 50 T20I Wickets
- Luke Jongwe needs just 1 wicket to complete 50 T20I Wickets
Dream XI Team
