Both Netherlands, Nepal are clubbed with Bangladesh, South Africa and Sri Lanka in Group D. Gilchrist believes that the international exposure gained by the young members of the Nepalese squad has turned them into a formidable unit.

Former Australian player believes that Nepal and Netherlands are capable of upsetting big teams in T20 World Cup. (Photo: X)

New Delhi: Legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist believes that Nepal and Netherlands could surprise teams like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. The showpiece event kickstarts from June 2 with the US and Canada fixture while West Indies meet Papua New Guinea on the same day in the evening.

Both the teams are clubbed with Bangladesh, South Africa and Sri Lanka in Group D. Gilchrist believes that the international exposure gained by the young members of the Nepalese squad has turned them into a formidable unit. Meanwhile, for Netherlands, Gilchrist said that they have been always tough customers in ICC events and would like to make most of the limited opportunities they get to play against the big units.

“I think Nepal would be a team that might be able to fire a shot,” Gilchrist told SEN Radio on Saturday. “They’ve got a couple of young players who have been in all the big leagues for a number of years now,” he added.

Nepal, however, have suffered a big blow ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 as their ace leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane was ruled out after his US visa application was rejected for a second time. With the Dutch having upset the Proteas in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, Gilchrist felt they definitely would be a tough opposition for any team in the showpiece event and are capable of carrying out upsets.

“The Dutch always seem to ruffle a few feathers, they always seem to get under the skin, and they’re drawn in the same pool as South Africa again. They nailed them in the T20 World Cup last time in Australia in Adelaide. So, it might be the Dutch,” he said.

(With PTI inputs)