With the IPL frenzy coming to an end, cricket fans around the world have turned their eyes to the next big thing that is coming their way -- the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The ninth edition of the tournament is all set to begin on Sunday, June 2, with the co-hosts USA clashing taking on Canada at Texas's Grand Prairie Stadium.
Team New Zealand, currently placed fifth in the Men's T20 Team rankings, will open their campaign against Afghanistan on Saturday, June 8. The Black Caps are captained by the experienced Kane Williamson, who is gearing up for his sixth Twenty20 World Cup. In the Kiwi lineup for the tournament, young batting phenom Rachin Ravindra and right-arm quick medium bowler Matt Henry are the only players who haven't participated in a T20 World Cup yet. Pacer Tim Southee is returning to the tournament for the sixth time, but Adam Milne and Kyle Jamieson have been ruled out due to injuries.
New Zealand has reached the tournament's semi-finals in the last three editions, and even made it to the finals in 2021, losing to Australia in the finals hosted in Dubai. As a result, New Zealand's pursuit of a major trophy in limited-overs cricket continues, as they seek to recreate and even outperform their incredible performances in the T20 World Cup to win their first T20 World Cup.
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They have already completed a five-match T20 series against Pakistan, which ended in a 2-2 draw, and are not scheduled to play any further warm-up matches before the World Cup.
New Zealand is grouped with Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, Uganda, and two-time champions West Indies. Here is everything you need to know about New Zealand’s group stage schedule, venues, and opponents as they get set for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.
Games and venues
June 8
New Zealand vs Afghanistan: Providence Stadium, Georgetown, Guyana: 05:00 AM (IST)
June 13
New Zealand vs West Indies: Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago: 06:00 AM (IST)
June 15
New Zealand vs Uganda: Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago: 06:00 AM (IST)
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June 17
New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea: Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago: 08:00 PM (IST)
New Zealand T20 World Cup 2024 Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.
Travelling Reserve: Ben Sears
(Compiled by Pranav.A)
