As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 gets into serious business, we bring a Group D preview and which team could top the table. The ninth edition of the ICC tournament is being played in the United States and the West Indies. Fans have been treated to some action-packed matches so far and the intensity is just starting to get bigger.
As many as 20 teams are participating in the T20 World Cup 2024, making it the biggest edition in the tournament’s history. Some teams are genuine contenders to win the title while many are trying to show that they belong at this level. As for the format, 20 teams are divided into four different groups, with the top two sides from each group making it to the Super Eight stage.
Talking about Group D, it consists of Bangladesh, Nepal, Netherlands, South Africa and Sri Lanka. Two games have been played so far in Group D, with South Africa beating Sri Lanka and Netherlands coming out on top against Nepal.
There are a few important clashes in the group that could decide who will finish at the top, one of them being Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh which is scheduled to take place on June 8th. Then there is a match between Bangladesh and South Africa on June 10th and neither of the teams can afford to lose if they want to top the group. Netherlands are yet to face these three teams and if they can beat one or two, things could completely shake up.
Odds of topping Group D (22Bet, Betwinner, Parimatch)
Below you can see the odds of each team topping Group D in this T20 World Cup.
| Team | 22Bet | Betwinner | Parimatch |
| South Africa | 1.20 | 1.20 | 1.20 |
| Bangladesh | 8.50 | 8.50 | 8.50 |
| Sri Lanka | 9.00 | 9.00 | 9.00 |
| Netherlands | 17.00 | 17.00 | 17.00 |
| Nepal | 100.00 | 100.00 | 501.00 |
Recent form of teams
South Africa: L L L L W
South Africa did not get to play any warm-up matches but they played a three-match series against West Indies in Jamaica one week ahead of the tournament. The series didn’t go well for them as they lost all three games, albeit with several first-choice players missing. The Proteas began their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign with a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka. Anrich Nortje was incredible with the ball, picking 4 for 9 in four overs while Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj bagged two scalps each as they bowled out Sri Lanka for just 77. Heinrich Klaasen then made 19 not-out to see his side over the line.
Bangladesh: W L L L W
Bangladesh haven’t had a good preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 as their first warm-up fixture against USA was abandoned without a ball being bowled and they suffered a 60-run defeat in the second game against India. Bangladesh took a huge blow to their confidence recently, losing a three-match series against USA by 2-1. They lost the opening game of that series by five wickets at Houston and fell short by 6 runs while chasing 145 in the second. In the third game, they smashed the hosts by 10 wickets with Mustafizur Rahman picking 6 for 10.
Sri Lanka: L W L W L
Much like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka haven’t been in great form either, having lost to the Netherlands by 20 runs in their first warm-up fixture. In the second warm-up, they defeated Ireland by 41 runs with Dasun Shanaka claiming a four-for. Sri Lanka’s start to their T20 World Cup campaign was disastrous as they were bowled out for 77 against South Africa. Wanindu Hasaranga bagged two wickets later to push the game into the 17th over but they didn’t have enough runs on the board.
Netherlands: W L L L W
Netherlands have been brilliant since landing here for the T20 World Cup, starting with a 20-run victory over Sri Lanka while their second warm-up game was abandoned due to rain. The Dutch men started the tournament with a win over Nepal by six wickets. Tim Pringle and Logan van Beek picked three wickets each while Bas de Leede and Paul van Meekeren bagged two scalps each. Chasing 107, Netherlands lost a few wickets but Max O’Dowd steered them home with an unbeaten 54 in 48 deliveries.
Nepal: W W L L L
Nepal had two warm-up fixtures to prepare themselves for these conditions but one game was washed out due to rain. In their first warm-up, they suffered a 40-run defeat at the hands of Canada in Dallas. Nepal’s start to the tournament wasn’t any different as they lost to Netherlands by six wickets after their batters failed and could only make 106. Bowlers did a decent job to drag the match deeper into the 19th over.
Upcoming fixtures Group D
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
Odds for Sri Lanka win: 1.56 (22Bet)
Odds for Bangladesh win: 2.56 (22Bet)
Bangladesh will start their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign with a crucial clash against Sri Lanka at Dallas, Texas on June 8th. Sri Lanka remain favourites to win this game and have the odds of 1.56 on 22Bet.
These two teams have faced each other 16 times in the shorter format and Sri Lanka dominate the scoreline with 11 wins. They are coming off a heavy defeat against South Africa but they still hold an edge in this match due to their superior bowling attack compared to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh haven’t had a good time in T20 cricket recently, having lost a series to the USA. But they have some decent players in the side and can spring up a surprise. If you decide to back Bangladesh to win, bet on Parimatch where you will get slightly higher odds of 2.59.
Netherlands vs South Africa
Odds for Netherlands win: 8.00 (Parimatch)
Odds for South Africa win: 1.08 (Parimatch)
South Africa and Netherlands will be locking horns at the New York stadium on June 8th. Both teams are coming off a victory and there will be plenty of eyes on this clash because of what happened when they met 18 months ago.
South Africa were stunned by the Netherlands in the 2022 T20 World Cup, losing their group fixture by 13 runs and failing to reach the semifinals as a consequence. The Protea men are still favourites to win this game as they have a vastly superior batting line-up and a pretty good bowling unit.
Netherlands have a decent bowling unit and on a pitch like New York, they could pose a challenge to the South African batters. If you are willing to take a punt on a Netherlands win, bet on 22Bet where you will get better odds of 8.75.
Who will top Group D?
Speaking of who could be the winner of Group D, currently there is one clear favourite and three challenges. However, one of two unexpected results could shake things up completely. South Africa stand the best chance of topping the group and they have the odds of 1.20 on Betwinner. Bangladesh, who are yet to play a game in the tournament, have much higher odds of 8.50 on 22Bet. Sri Lanka lost their opening game and their chances of topping Group D have gone down, with their odds reading 9.00 on Parimatch.
South Africa head into any ICC tournament as one of the top sides and the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is no different. They began the tournament in great style with their bowlers destroying the Sri Lankan batting unit. South Africa have a considerably better side than the other four teams in Group D but they will need to be careful against the Netherlands and Bangladesh.
The contest between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh is crucial in this group as the former can’t afford another loss and the latter also needs to win. Both these teams have several issues but Sri Lanka should come out on top in this heated rivalry, considering they have better resources in both departments.
Netherlands, who defeated Nepal in their first game, can’t be ruled out as they are well capable of beating Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and they will fancy their chances against South Africa as well. One more win for the Netherlands could create chaos in the group. If you are willing to bet on the Netherlands to top the group, you could get big returns at the odds of 17.00 on 22Bet.