T20 World Cup Super 8s preview

Washouts, retirements, super overs, giant-killings – the 2024 T20 World Cup has had it all so far, with some of its more unconventional features especially blossoming after two weeks of action.

With the group stage drawing to a close and some big nations already on their way home – namely Pakistan and New Zealand – the Super 8s phase kicks into gear over the next seven days, with the remaining eight teams split into two groups of four and playing each group member once.

We break down the anatomy of both groups below.

Group 1

The first group of four sees the winners of groups A and B pitted against the runners up of groups C and D, which means Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh and India will square off in a subcontinent-heavy assemblage.

Afghanistan are probably the standout talking point after three commanding victories in their opening three group stage games, including a remarkable 84-run win over 2021 finalists New Zealand. They conceded less than 100 runs in all three of those games, with star leg-spinner and captain Rashid Khan in typically potent form.

Afghanistan have a difficult start against India on Thursday, with Fazalhaq Farooqi generously priced at 11/5 to pick up the most wickets and Rashid Khan the 13/8 favourite. It’s been a standout tournament for Fazalhaq Farooqi, who has picked up 12 wickets in just four fixtures – three more than any other bowler.

India made relatively light work of what was certainly a tricky group on paper, with only a washout against minnows Canada denying them a clean sweep of group stage victories. Their closest challenge predictably came in the form of fierce rivals Pakistan when they somehow managed to defend 119 in the New York sunshine, with Pakistan at one point needing less than a run a ball with eight wickets remaining.

India are just 2/9 alongside Australia to make it out of Group 1 and into the semi-finals, and look well-equipped to deal with any conditions that get put on their plate with a healthy blend of spinners and seamers – both left handed and right handed.

Australia have meanwhile been flawless after overcoming the typical pre-tournament scepticism over their T20 depth, with Test stars David Warner and Travis Head showing their remarkable versatility at the top of the order and Adam Zampa leading the way with the ball. Marcus Stoinis has meanwhile provided some middle-order muscle – hitting the third-highest number of runs in the tournament and boasting an eye-catching average of 78.00 – and is the glue in this increasingly imposing Aussie team.

Group 2

England will be counting their lucky stars after just about getting through their must-win game against Namibia on Sunday, which at one point looked dead certain to be called off by a fierce Caribbean thunderstorm. Despite making the Super 8s, their third-place position in the tournament outright winner market (5/1) flatters Jos Buttler’s men – this is an undercooked and out of date Three Lions setup.

Despite being 4/9 to finish in the top two and qualify for the semi-finals, they’ll do well to record victories against hosts West Indies and South Africa – both of whom have perfect records after four group stage games thus far.

The Proteas arguably had the easiest group on paper but conceded a high score of 114 runs across their quartet of fixtures, which surprisingly came against Nepal. Anrich Nortje has been the standout performer in this flourishing bowling attack, with only Fazalhaq Farooqi taking more than his nine group stage wickets so far. South Africa are a shade longer than England at 1/2 to make it to the final four.

The USA’s qualification from a group including Pakistan and Ireland will be talked about just as much as their standalone victory against Babar Azam’s men last week. Priced at 8/1 to qualify for the final four, the hard work is yet to come for the co-hosts, who won’t even have the luxury of playing on their own turf should they miraculously make the semi-finals.