Cricket World Cup Preview: Group D takes center stage
BBC Sport partners with data analysts CricViz to preview the highly anticipated T20 World Cup, focusing on Group D featuring Bangladesh, Nepal, Netherlands, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh, ranked 9th in the ICC T20 rankings, has appeared in the World Cup eight times, with their best performances reaching the round of 16 on five occasions. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and head coach Chandika Hathurusingha will look to lead the Tigers to new heights. Batter Towhid Hridoy, coming off two 400+ run seasons in the Bangladesh Premier League, and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, the team’s spin bowling talisman, are players to watch.
Ranked 17th, Nepal is making its second T20 World Cup appearance, having previously reached the first round in 2014. Captain Rohit Paudel and coach Monty Desai will rely on the powerful batting of Dipendra Airee, who has struck at an astonishing rate of 191 since the last World Cup. Seamer Abinash Bohara, known for his death bowling prowess, is another key player.
The Netherlands, ranked 15th, has appeared in five World Cups, with their best showings in 2014 and 2022 reaching the second round. Captain Scott Edwards and coach Ryan Cook will look to all-rounder Sybrand Engelbrecht, who has made an immediate impact since returning to the Dutch setup, and seamer Logan van Beek, the team’s leading wicket-taker in this World Cup cycle.
Ranked 4th, South Africa has reached the semi-finals on two occasions, in 2009 and 2014. Captain Aiden Markram and coach Rob Walter will count on the explosive batting of Heinrich Klaasen, who has averaged 41 at a strike rate of 182 in the current cycle, and the spin expertise of Tabraiz Shamsi, the Proteas’ leading wicket-taker.
Eighth-ranked Sri Lanka, the 2014 champions, will be led by captain Wanindu Hasaranga and coach Chris Silverwood. Kusal Mendis, who scored nearly 1,200 runs in this cycle, and the rising fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana, with his Malinga-esque action, are the players to watch.
“CricViz’s data-driven analysis provides valuable insights into the teams and players to watch in this highly anticipated T20 World Cup.”
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