With four more teams added to the World Cup, which is co-hosted by the West Indies as well, the total now stands at 20, giving developing cricketing nations greater chances to participate in important competitions and acquire experience. There are worries that this expansion may lead to more one-sided encounters, though.
After co-hosts United States pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the history of the event on Thursday by upsetting Pakistan, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson applauded the T20 World Cup’s expansion to 20 countries.
With four extra countries participating in the World Cup, which is co-hosted by the West Indies as well, developing cricketing nations will have more chances to gain experience in important competitions. There are worries that this expansion may lead to more one-sided encounters, though.
In 2012, when Sri Lanka hosted 12 nations for the T20 World Cup, Williamson made his debut and described the wider field as a “fantastic thing”.
In a video conference from Guyana, he informed reporters, “That kind of exposure is only beneficial for all teams.”
The Americans are now leading Group A and will play formidable India next week after going undefeated. The Super 8 stage will be reached by the top two teams in the group.
Williamson said that from their camp in the Caribbean, his squad saw the incredible shock victory over Pakistan.
Williamson continued, “That cricket match was incredible.” All of the teams competing in these events have incredibly good players, regardless of whether they have faced Test-playing nations before or not. It depends, in part, on the day you play.”
After a protracted wait, the Kiwis will finally kick off their campaign against Afghanistan in Guyana on Friday, hoping to win their first World Cup.
“We’re one of the last teams to start, so I know we’re all looking forward to starting off the tournament after spending maybe 10 days or so practising,” he stated.
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