T20 Cricket World Cup Group Stage preview: Critical games ahead of the Super 12s

The 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup continues to provide high quality entertainment. This week we take a look at Scotland v Ireland as well as West Indies v Zimbabwe in the 7th and 8th match up of the tournament respectively.

We preview the best of the action below.

Scotland v Ireland

The first stage of the tournament is well and truly under way, and now we have an exciting fixture to look forward to in Scotland against Ireland, as both teams battle it out for a spot in the next round of the tournament – the Super 12s.

The two teams come into this fixture off the back of very contrasting results though, with Scotland having bettered the two-time champions West Indies, and the Ireland squad coming into the match licking their wounds after defeat to Zimbabwe.

Despite their shock victory last weekend, Scotland will open as the underdogs at 13/10. During their win over the West Indies, George Munsey scored a half century and will be full of confidence heading into Wednesday’s action. From the bowlers’ end, Mark Watt held the team down, taking three wickets for 12 runs in his four overs.

Ireland are the 8/13 favourites in the betting and will know how crucial this game is for their Super 12s chances. For them to have any hope of reaching the next round they will need to make full use of their top-class players in the likes of Paul Stirling and Lorcan Tucker – who is boosted to 5/1 to be the top Irish run scorer.

This is shaping up to be an incredibly tense match up, as both sides weigh the gravity of the result from this game. It should be a good day to be a spectator however, with sun forecast and little chance of rain.

Check out all the latest betting odds at William Hill

West Indies v Zimbabwe

Following their surprise loss to Scotland in their last game, West Indies know that this is their make-or-break moment which could see them depart early from the competition. During their last fixture it was both the batsmen and the bowlers who let down the side, looking toothless for most of the match with only four batsmen scoring in double digits.

Big improvements clearly need to be made, but despite last week’s blunder they head into this match the 1/3 favourites. Among the possible saving graces for the side are Evin Lewis and Johnson Charles, both who can be explosive run scorers, and they are 3/1 joint-favourites to become the top West Indies run scorer.

Zimbabwe have faced off against the West Indies team just three times prior to this meeting, but have only won one of those matches. However, Zimbabwe can clearly upset their odds as their victory over Ireland last weekend proved.

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder expressed his view on the matter, saying “Zimbabwe seem to be on a nice winning streak” ahead of the action on Wednesday. Zimbabwe head into the match as the underdogs at 12/5, but will be seeking to build on their confidence-boosting win over Ireland on Monday.

Sikander Raza stood out as the star of the team on that occasion, playing a crucial part in their win. Raza is the 10/3 joint favourite alongside Craig Ervine to be Zimbabwe’s top run scorer in this must win game.

So will Zimbabwe beat their odds, and take their head-to-head record against the West Indies to 2-2? We’ll have to wait to find out, but either way this plays out, this matchup is one you won’t want to miss!

Check out all the latest cricket betting odds at William Hill