West Indies vs Afghanistan Preview & Prediction | 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | Group Stage
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Both of these sides have already progressed through to the Super 8’s with 100% records and a very impressive group stage campaign and the two teams will both look to finish well and carry their momentum through to the next phase.
DATE & TIME: Monday 17th June, 2024 - USA – 19:30 / West Indies – 20:30 & Tuesday 18th June, 2024 - UK – 01:30 / South Africa – 02:30 / Pakistan – 05:30 / India – 06:00 / Bangladesh – 06:30 / Australia – 10:30
VENUE: Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia
WEATHER: 29c or 84.2 F with the possibility of showers
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: USA – Willow TV / West Indies – ESPN Caribbean / UK – Sky Sports / South Africa – SuperSport / Pakistan – PTV Sports & TEN Sports / India– Star Sports / Bangladesh – Disney Star
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: USA – Willow TV website / West Indies – ESPN Play Caribbean app / UK – Sky Go / South Africa – SuperSport app / Pakistan – Myco & Tamasha / India – Disney+Hotstar / Bangladesh – Disney+Hotstar / Australia – Amazon Prime Video
WEST INDIES FORM: FINISHING WITH A FLOURISH
The West Indies failed to qualify for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup but will be in the last eight of this tournament that they are co-hosting with some experience and then younger players balancing well. They needed to go deep to defeat Papua New Guinea before a hammering of Uganda and then the equivalent of a come from behind victory over New Zealand the other day.
LAST FIVE: WWWWW
AFGHANISTAN FORM: KEEPING MOMENTUM
Brian Lara picked Afghanistan as one of his four semi-finalists before the tournament and they have been excellent throughout their campaign so far. They began by hammering Uganda by 125 runs and then annihilating New Zealand by 84 runs before a seven-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea. They have taken 30 wickets and conceded just 228 runs for those 30 wickets.
LAST FIVE: WWWWA
WEST INDIES BETTING ANALYSIS
This game is being played in Saint Lucia, which produced a high-scoring match in its opener of the tournament as Scotland posted 180 against Australia, which was chased by the Australians with two balls to spare. That should mean a good pitch allows quality to really come through and Nicholas Pooran to be the Windies’ best batter (7/2) is a good shout.
The Windies have, alongside Afghanistan, arguably been the most impressive spin bowling side so far in the competition. Akeal Hosein has the second best figures in the tournament after taking 5-11 against Uganda in Guyana. Hosein may not be the biggest threat with Alzarri Joseph their leading wicket taker and him to take two or more wickets (11/10) is a good bet.
AFGHANISTAN BETTING ANALYSIS
The leading wicket taker in the competition is the excellent opening bowler of Afghanistan, Fazalhaq Farooqi. The left-arm paceman has taken 12 wickets in just three matches so far and has been a permanent threat to the opposition, particularly in the powerplay. Given that both Brandon King and Johnson Charles have faltered a tad at the start of this tournament, Farooqi to take two or more wickets (11/8) looks a good bet.
The West Indies have been strong in the bowling department but there will be a concern that they are slightly too open from the start and that will really suit both Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, who pair up for one of the best opening partnerships in the competition. Afghanistan having the highest opening partnership (1/1) is solid.
WEST INDIES VS AFGHANISTAN EXPERT PREDICTION
These two have probably been the most impressive teams in the tournament thus far. However, Afghanistan have been pretty much perfect, whereas the Windies did have quite big passages of play against both Papua New Guinea and New Zealand that will concern them as they head into the latter stages. Afghanistan to win may well be a good value bet but the best way to go for the game would be to get with their bowling and back some more Fazalhaq Farooqi wickets.
WEST INDIES VS AFGHANISTAN TOP TIP: FAZALHAQ FAROOQI TO TAKE TWO OR MORE WICKETS
