Bermuda vs Panama, ICC Mens T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier 2023, Today Match Prediction 28 February 2023

ber vs pan Match Prediction & Analysis

A struggling Panama batting order will be up against the Bermuda juggernaut at the Belgrano Athletic Club Ground. The remaining matches are crucial for both teams as the race to the top 3 approaches the business end. The top 3 teams of the tournament will qualify for the Regional Final.

Bermuda seem to have a very strong chance of finishing in the top 3 given they’ve got 2 wins from 2 matches so far. Panama will be facing their toughest opponent in this tournament so far.

The last time Panama played Bermuda was in the 2021 Regional Qualifier where the latter posted 183 runs total batting first. Panama finished with 95 runs in response and lost the match by a huge margin.

The good thing for Panama is the change in the venue and they can hope for a better outing for their batters in this game. Mahmud Jasat and Mohamad Sohel Patel will be the key players for Panama.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Bermuda Preview

Panama would be happy with the start they’ve got this time around. In the 2021 regional qualifier, Panama managed to win just one out of 6 matches. And their final game of that tournament was the most unforgettable one where they conceded 245 runs for 1 wicket and were later bowled out for 37 runs.

It was definitely a relief to start the 2023 tournament on a winning note beating hosts Argentina by 53 runs. The openers got Panama off to a dream start with an 83-run partnership.

However, the middle order failed to deliver and Panama ended up with just 139 runs on the board for the loss of 8 wickets.

In the next game, none of the openers managed to get going and were back in the hut early in the innings. And in this scenario, there was no saviour in the middle as Panama finished with 101 for 9 batting first.

The pitch at the Belgrano Athletic Club Ground is more batting-friendly than the one Panama played their last two games on. In addition to the openers Jasat and Patel, the middle-order players will also be expected to score some quick runs and deliver a good finish.

Irfan Hafijee, Huzaifa Patel, and Anilkumar Ahir will be key players in the middle and late order. Khengar Ahir, Rahul Ahir, and Sohel Patel who led the bowling attack in Panama’s win over Argentina will be the key bowlers in this match.

Bermuda Predicted Playing XI:

Irfan Hafejee (c), Huzaifa Patel (wk), Anilkumar Natubhai Ahir, Mahmud Jasat, Abdullah Jasat, Sohel Patel, Khengar Bhal Ahir, Nikunj Ahir, Rahul Ahir, Faizan Patel, Mohmad Sohel Patel

Panama Preview

Bermuda started their T20I journey back in 2008. They also made it to the 50-over World Cup in 2007 where they played giants like India. 

Since 2021, Bermuda’s performances in the regional Qualifiers have been quite impressive. Delray Rawlins is leading Bermuda’s return after years of decline. In 2021, Bermuda won 4 of their 6 matches in the regional qualifier and in 2023, they’ve already topped the points table with two wins from two matches.

Bermuda have been unbeaten in their last 6 consecutive games and have been outperforming every opponent they encounter. In addition to the consistent Kamau Leverock and skipper Delray Rawlins, other top-order players Trey Manders and Terryn Fray have also joined the party.

In their last innings, Manders and Fray scored 74 off 41 and 62 off 48 balls. Rawlins continued his impressive form with his second consecutive fifty at number 4. The best part of this Bermuda side is the strike rates of their key batsmen. Rawlins has been the best of all with consistent big knocks that create the biggest impact. 

Rawlins and Leverock are also crucial with the ball and can be relied on for regular breakthroughs. Malachi Jones and Derrick Brangman will be other bowlers in this squad to watch out for.

Panama Predicted Playing XI:

Kamau Leverock, Tre Manders, Terryn Fray, Delray Rawlins (c), Dominic Sabir, Malachi Jones, Zeko Burgess, Jacob Albertze, Sinclair Smith (wk), Justin Pitcher, Derrick Brangman

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It is a batting paradise here at the Belgrano Athletic Club Ground. Batters can play their strokes freely as the ball gets onto the bat quite well. The weather will be sunny on the match day with a high of 33 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

The Belgrano Athletic Club Ground has hosted two T20Is so far and Bermuda has featured in both of them. The average 1st innings score at this venue is 223 runs, courtesy of some outstanding performances from the Bermuda batters. 

Toss: To Bat

The team batting first has won both T20Is played at this venue so far. Bermuda has scored 200+ runs batting first on both occasions. If Panama opts to bat first, they need to ensure they post a big enough total to put mighty Bermuda under pressure.