Day 9 of the T20 World Cup promises high drama as the race for Super 8 spots heats up. The action begins at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where West Indies take on Nepal in a crucial Group C clash. West Indies can secure a Super 8 berth with a win, while Nepal aim to stay alive in the competition after consecutive losses.
Next, the United States of America face Namibia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The Americans, buoyed by their historic victory over the Netherlands, will be eager to continue their strong form, while Namibia will look to bounce back and keep their Super 8 hopes alive.
The day concludes with the tournament’s marquee clash at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, where India and Pakistan go head-to-head in a high-stakes Group A encounter. Both unbeaten teams have a golden opportunity to secure their Super 8 spots, making this one of the most eagerly awaited matches of the tournament.
When and where to watch
- West Indies vs Nepal in Mumbai in a Group C match at 11 am IST
- USA vs Namibia in Chennai in a Group A match at 3 pm IST
- India vs Pakistan in Colombo in a Group A match at 7 pm IST
All matches will be telecast on Star Sports, with livestreaming available on JioHotstar.
Here is a quick preview of the three games scheduled on Day 9 of the T20 World Cup.
MATCH 1 Prediction: West Indies vs Nepal in Mumbai
West Indies and Nepal are set to clash in a crucial Group C match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. West Indies will qualify for the Super 8 with a win, while Nepal are fighting to stay alive in the tournament.
The Windies have been dominant so far, winning both of their opening games. They began with a 35-run victory over Scotland, powered by Shimron Hetmyer’s 64, and followed it up with a commanding performance against England, where Sherfane Rutherford’s unbeaten 76 guided them to a 30-run triumph. These back-to-back wins have firmly established West Indies at the top of the group.
Nepal, meanwhile, will be disappointed after mixed results. They came agonisingly close to defeating England at the Wankhede, losing by just four runs, but were then outclassed by Italy, who chased 124 without losing a wicket for a 10-wicket win.
Sunday’s match offers Nepal a chance to revive their campaign, but they will need more consistent performances with both bat and ball against a confident West Indies side in red-hot form. A win for the Windies guarantees their Super 8 berth, making this encounter a high-stakes, must-watch clash for both teams.
Pitch Report
The pitch at the Wankhede Stadium has not been particularly batting-friendly, with not a single 200-plus total recorded so far, which is unusual for a venue known for high-scoring games. Spinners have played a significant role, making it difficult for batters to score freely. Most notably, chasing has proven tough, with teams batting second losing all three matches at the venue.
There is no forecast of rain, with temperatures expected to be around 33 degrees Celsius. Humidity levels are likely to remain in the high 20s.
Predicted Playing XIs
West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (c) (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph
Nepal: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Rohit Paudel (c), Dipendra Singh Airee, Aarif Sheikh, Lokesh Bam, Gulsan Jha, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi
MATCH 2 Prediction: USA vs Namibia in Chennai
USA and Namibia face off in a high-stakes Group A clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, with both teams staring at possible elimination from the T20 World Cup 2026. A loss for either side would end their Super 8 hopes, making Sunday’s encounter absolutely crucial.
The United States enter the match full of confidence after their historic 93-run win over the Netherlands, their first-ever T20I victory against the Dutch. Monank Patel’s side posted 196 for six and then bowled the Netherlands out for 103 in just 15.5 overs, showcasing depth in both batting and bowling. The USA will look to replicate that performance and continue their strong run in the tournament.
Namibia, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency, losing both of their opening matches — first to the Netherlands and then to an in-form India. Skipper Gerhard Erasmus has been inspirational, taking four wickets against India, but it was not enough to secure a win.
Sunday’s clash is a must-win for both teams, with momentum and tournament survival on the line. Expect a fiercely contested encounter as the USA aim to build on their historic victory while Namibia look to bounce back from consecutive defeats.
Pitch Report
The pitch in Chennai has been an absolute belter so far, with chasing teams winning on both occasions. New Zealand comfortably chased down 174 in the previous match, underlining that bowlers are unlikely to have much margin for error. While spinners could find some assistance as the game progresses, the conditions clearly favour the batters.
The weather in Chennai is expected to remain clear, with no rain forecast. Temperatures will hover around the 30-degree Celsius mark, and humidity levels are likely to be in the 60s.
Predicted Playing XIs
USA: Monank Patel (c), Shayan Jahangir (wk), Saiteja Mukkamalla, Milind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Shubham Ranjane, Harmeet Singh, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan
Namibia: Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (c), JJ Smit, Malan Kruger, Zane Green (wk), Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz, Ben Shikongo, Max Heingo
MATCH 3 Prediction: India vs Pakistan in Colombo
India and Pakistan face off in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the T20 World Cup, with both sides unbeaten and a place in the Super 8s at stake. India have been in impressive form, most recently defeating Namibia by 93 runs — their biggest margin of victory in T20 World Cup history. Posting 209/9, they then bowled out Namibia for 116 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, boosting their net run rate and cementing their position atop Group A.
Fitness concerns have surrounded India’s explosive opener Abhishek Sharma, who was hospitalised with a stomach infection earlier in the tournament and lost weight during recovery. He has since rejoined the squad in Colombo, though it remains uncertain if he will feature in the match.
Pakistan have also won both of their opening games, displaying resilience with contributions from both the top order and their bowling unit. They survived a scare against the Netherlands before beating the USA comprehensively.
The build-up to the clash was marked by political tension, with Pakistan initially threatening to boycott in solidarity with Bangladesh’s withdrawal, but they reversed the decision following ICC and host board intervention.
India hold a commanding T20 World Cup head-to-head record against Pakistan, leading 7-1, and will look to extend that dominance. With Super 8 qualification and national pride on the line, this blockbuster promises high drama and top-quality cricket.
Pitch Report
The pitch in Colombo has not favoured chasing sides, with teams batting second losing all three matches so far. Both spinners and pacers are expected to receive similar assistance from the surface. The average score at the venue stands at 152, suggesting that a high-scoring contest may not be likely. Scoring freely in the powerplay will be crucial, as batting is expected to become more difficult as the innings progresses.
There is a chance of rain in Colombo on Sunday. Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology, through its Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, warned on Friday that a low-pressure area is likely to form over the southeastern Bay of Bengal around February 15. Cloud cover is expected, with temperatures hovering around 27 degrees Celsius.
Predicted Playing XIs
India: Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha (c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq, Abrar Ahmed
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