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The 2024 edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is set to take place from June 1 to 29 in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). As excitement builds for the tournament, former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop, who is also part of the ICC’s commentary team for the event, has shared his predictions, including the leading run-scorer, leading wicket-taker, and a significant record he believes will be broken during the tournament.
Leading run-scorer
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Bishop has picked England‘s Jos Buttler as the leading run-scorer for the tournament. He reasoned that Buttler’s explosive batting style and consistent performances in T20 cricket make him a formidable force. His ability to dominate bowlers and play match-winning innings is well-recognized, making him a strong contender for the top run-scorer title.
Leading wicket-taker
In terms of bowling, Bishop expected India spinner Kuldeep Yadav to be the leading wicket-taker. Kuldeep’s spin bowling has been a crucial weapon for India. His variations and ability to deceive batters are assets that could see him picking up the most wickets in the tournament.
Also READ: Australia veteran Nathan Lyon predicts the finalists of T20 World Cup 2024
Record-breaking prediction by Ian Bishop
Bishop also believed that Virat Kohli‘s record of scoring the most runs in a single T20 World Cup season will be broken. In the 2014 edition in Bangladesh, Kohli scored 319 runs with four fifties at an average of 106.33. Given the high stakes and competitive nature of the tournament, Bishop anticipated that someone might surpass Kohli’s record due to more matches and increased scoring opportunities.
Semifinalist of T20 World Cup 2024
For the top four teams, Bishop has backed India, England, the West Indies and Australia to qualify for the semifinals. These teams have consistently performed well in international T20 cricket and have strong squads with a blend of experience and youth. Additionally, Bishop expected Afghanistan to cause a few surprises in the tournament. Afghanistan’s rapid rise in international cricket and their talented pool of players, especially in the T20 format, make them capable of upsetting more established teams.
Tournament structure and format
The tournament will kick off with the USA facing Canada on Saturday, June 1. The West Indies will host 40 games, while the USA will stage 15 games.
The 2024 edition will feature 20 teams divided into four groups: A, B, C, and D. Each group will see intense competition as teams vie for a spot in the Super Eight round. The group stage will feature each group consisting of five teams, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the Super Eight round. The Super Eight will then be split into two groups, and the top two teams from each Super Eight group will move on to the semifinals, culminating in the final match scheduled for June 29.
