Legendary Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist feels Nepal and the Netherlands can surprise nations like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the forthcoming T20 World Cup.
Group D includes Nepal, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.
Gilchrist believes that the international experience obtained by the young players on the Rohit Paudel led Nepalese team has made them a formidable unit.
Gilchrist commented that the Netherlands have always been demanding customers in ICC events and would like to take advantage of the few occasions they have to play against major teams.
“I think Nepal would be a team that might be able to fire a shot,” Gilchrist said on Saturday.
“They’ve got a couple of young players who have been in all the big leagues for several years now,” he stated.
On the other hand, Nepal experienced a major setback ahead of the World Cup when ace leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane’s US visa application was refused for the second time.
With the Dutch having upset the Proteas in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, Gilchrist felt they would undoubtedly be a difficult challenge.
“The Dutch always seem to ruffle a few feathers, get under the skin, and end up in the same pool as South Africa. They nailed them in the last T20 World Cup in Adelaide, Australia. “So, it could be the Dutch,” he explained.
Gilchrist, citing the USA’s 2-1 victory over Bangladesh in a three-match T20 series late last month, stated that lesser-known cricket-playing nations are always looking for opportunities to beat more substantial teams.
“That’s in a financial component where they get a tiny taste of the ice cream… but also in terms of experience. With the T20 format, these nations can ruffle a few feathers while establishing cricket programs in their countries.
“Look at the outcomes of the United States against Bangladesh in the last several weeks; the US has fired a few shots and beaten them a few times.
“It is about giving them a platform and the opportunity to shine. “Hopefully, that will strengthen cricket programs in more countries worldwide,” said Gilchrist. Both teams will meet on Tuesday to open their campaigns in the T20 global showpiece.