The T20 World Cup has already had some dramatic results, with the United States’ victory over Pakistan one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history.
Pakistan will look to get their campaign back on track when they face fierce rivals India on Sunday while England take on Australia in the highlight of Saturday’s card.
There are also plenty of other teams in action on what looks set to be an action-packed weekend.
T20 World Cup Tips
- England to beat Australia @ 21/20
- Phil Salt top England-run scorer @ 7/2
- Jasprit Bumrah top India wicket-taker @ 9/4
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Defending champions overpriced for success
Australia barely had to get out of second gear to get the better of Oman in their first game of the tournament but they face their first real test when they take on England on Saturday.
Jos Buttler’s men saw their first match of the campaign rained off and will be desperate to get points on the board against their biggest rivals.
England’s bowling attack did struggle to get to grips with Scotland’s openers in the 10 overs of that game that were bowled but the market seems to have overreacted and the bowling attack will be fresher after blowing away the cobwebs.
It must be remembered that this team are the defending champions of this event and have an impressive head-to-head record over these opponents in this format.
England have won six of the last seven T20 internationals between these two teams and look a big price to add to that tally in this clash.
Salt ready to pepper boundary
Phil Salt has confirmed himself as one of England’s two openers for this tournament with a series of impressive displays over the last 18 months.
The 27-year-old made two T20 international centuries when England toured the West Indies in December so will clearly relish these conditions and he is also coming into this on the back of an impressive stint in the Indian Premier League.
Salt made 435 runs in 12 IPL matches for Kolkata Knight Riders when replacing Jason Roy, hitting at a strike rate of 182 and an average of 39.54.
He top scored with 45 in England’s last completed game and is fancied to repeat the trick against Australia.
Bumrah could take advantage of difficult pitch
Pakistan suffered a shock defeat to the United States in their first game and things are not getting any easier in the second as they face their biggest rivals, and one of the tournament favourites, India.
India comfortably saw off Ireland in their opener on an uneven pitch in New York and back on the same ground, similarly tricky conditions look likely.
Jasprit Bumrah took 2-6 against Ireland and if bowling as he did in that game, he is fancied to be India’s top wicket-taker in this match.
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