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Aakash Chopra reckons South Africa might not reach the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-finals. He expects England and the West Indies to pip the Proteas to the last-four berths from Super 8 Group 2.
Apart from South Africa, England and the West Indies, the United States of America are the fourth team in Group 2. India, Australia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh are the four sides in the other group.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra opined that England and the West Indies will likely qualify for the semi-finals ahead of South Africa and the USA.
"Who do I feel will qualify from this group? One I feel is Team England, the defending champions. The second I feel is the West Indies. I see these two teams progressing. I feel South Africa might just fall short. The USA can also fall decently short. You might see the West Indies, England, India and Australia as the four teams in the final four," he said (3:45).
While acknowledging that South Africa are a gun side, the former India opener noted that Aiden Markram and company might not be as formidable away from New York.
"South Africa is a gun team. They are playing very well. They were a king until they were in New York but have now come out from there. There will be a lot of focus on Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj," Chopra stated (2:50).
South Africa won their first three Group C games in New York and registered a nail-biting one-run win in their final group game against Nepal in Saint Vincent. They will face the USA and the West Indies in Antigua and England in Saint Lucia in the Super Eights.
"West Indies are a dangerous team" - Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra termed the West Indies and England 'dangerous' sides.
"West Indies are a dangerous team. This team has depth both in batting and bowling. I see England as a very dangerous team because they have that kind of batting, that kind of depth. Bowling is okay, okay but no one can match their batting. They are actually very explosive and they have the depth," he reasoned (3:05).
The reputed commentator doesn't see the United States of America replicating their group stage upsets in the Super Eights.
"Then comes the USA, who have punched above their weight already. It's possible that when they reach the Super Eights here, they might not be able to cause those sorts of upsets because the conditions now will not be that bowler-friendly," Chopra explained.
The United States stunned Pakistan in a Super Over in Dallas. They also defeated Canada, with an abandoned game against Ireland sealing their Super 8 spot from Group A alongside India.
