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The highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2024 is set to unfold in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA) throughout June, marking a historic event with 20 teams competing for cricketing glory. This edition also signifies a important moment for West Indies, as they will host an ICC men’s event for the first time in 14 years, with the last being the T20 World Cup in 2010. Similarly, it will be a major assignment for the USA, hosting any ICC event for the first time.
Sir Viv Richards picks the potential winner
Legendary West Indian batter Sir Viv Richards has shared his insights ahead of the tournament, backing the national side, West Indies, to claim their third ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title. The team, led by captain Rovman Powell and coached by Darren Sammy, will face formidable competition from some of the world’s best teams during the June 1-29 event. Notably, West Indies have previously secured victory in the 2012 and 2016 editions of the tournament under the captaincy of Sammy, who now assumed the role of coach, bringing a wealth of experience and insight to the team’s campaign.
Also READ: England’s Michael Vaughan predicts the winner of T20 World Cup 2024
Richards’ excitement and pride
Speaking during the ongoing global trophy tour in his homeland of Antigua, Richards expressed immense excitement about hosting such a significant global sporting event. He conveyed pride for himself and fellow Antiguans in hosting the world and voiced unwavering support for the West Indies team. Richards believed in their ability to perform on the grand stage and emphasized the desire to clinch victory on home soil, aiming for a third T20 World Cup title celebrated alongside their devoted fans.
“It’s really exciting to see that one of the biggest sporting events on the global calendar will be coming to the West Indies and the USA and we will have matches right here in Antigua. For me, and my fellow Antiguans this is a tremendous event and we as absolutely delighted to host the world on our shores,” Richards was quoted as saying by CWI Media.
“As I look ahead to the matches, I’m backing my West Indies team to deliver on the big day. We have a very good team, and they look united under Rovman Powell, so I’m throwing my full support behind my team. It would be great to win this ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on our home soil. We won twice before … those were way (in Sri Lanka in 2012 and India in 2016), so a third title would be great, and where better, than at home in front of our great West Indian fans to celebrate,” the 72-year-old concluded.
Sir Curtly, Sir Viv, and Sir Richie posed with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy and upcoming cricketers at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua & Barbuda 🇦🇬 earlier this week. #ICCWorldCupTrophyTour 🏆
📷 @ICCMediaComms pic.twitter.com/60RyG5cFqB
— Terry Finisterre (@terryfinisterre) April 20, 2024
Group stage matches and schedule
In the opening round, West Indies find themselves in a group with Afghanistan, New Zealand, Uganda and Papua New Guinea. Their title quest will kick off against Papua New Guinea on June 2 at the Guyana National Stadium, followed by a match against debutants Uganda at the same venue on June 8. Subsequently, they will travel to Trinidad to face New Zealand at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on June 12. Their final preliminary contest will see them locking horns with Afghanistan on June 17 at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia.