West Indies vs Uganda Prediction: Pooran can make underdogs pay

Having beaten the likes of Australia and South Africa in the build-up, West Indies were gaining support to go all the way in the T20 World Cup, and they opened their tournament with an expected win over Papua New Guinea.

The manner of the five-wicket victory was solid if not spectacular, and they are expected to make it two from two when they take on Uganda in preparation for the two harder games in the group.

Uganda have arguably already achieved their target by qualifying for their first T20 World Cup, and registering their first win is the icing on the cake. However, they look seriously outgunned in this contest and are unlikely to add the scalp of the co-hosts to that of Papua New Guinea.

Team News

West Indies may not have wholly impressed in their opening win but the result was never really in doubt and offered a chance to settle into the tournament they are co-hosting.

Although there is no particular need to change a winning team, Daren Dammy may opt to give a couple of players a run out ahead of the two toughest games in the group - Afghanistan and New Zealand - with Shimron Hetmyer perhaps returning to the side in place of Sherfane Rutherford, who scored just two off seven balls against PNG.

Obed McCoy impressed against South Africa in the warm-ups and could be given a chance with the ball.

For Uganda, the biggest problems are very much with the bat, having been dismissed for 58 by Afghanistan before losing seven wickets in chasing down 78 against Papua New Guinea.

However, they lack the depth to make obvious changes given the plethora of all-rounders in their squad, although Ronak Patel will be hoping to be given a recall to strengthen the top order.

West Indies vs Uganda Odds

The gulf in class between the two sides is reflected in the betting, with the odds massively in favour of West Indies who are just 1/250 - a 99.6% chance - to register the win, 1/66 to hit the most sixes and 1/8 to hit the most fours. Uganda are a massive 50/1 to cause what would be the biggest shock of the tournament so far.

Openers Brandon King and Johnson Charles are joint favourites at 5/2 to finish as the Windies' top run scorer, while Riazat Ali Shah is the market leader at 16/5 for the underdogs.

Nicholas Pooran - West Indies Top Run Scorer @ 3/1

With the odds heavily stacked in West Indies' favour, the focus is on the player specific markets and Nicholas Pooran looks worth backing to finish as the West Indies Top Run Scorer at 3/1.

The 28-year-old enjoyed an excellent season in the Indian Premier League for Lucknow Super Giants, scoring 499 runs at an average of 62.38 and strike-rate of 178.21, with his last three innings 48 not out, 61 and 75.

He then smashed 75 in a 25-ball innings that included eight sixes and five fours against Australia in his only warm up appearance.

Pooran made a solid enough contribution in the opening win with a run-a-ball 27 but he looks in good form and bats high enough up the order to warrant consideration to fill his boots against Uganda.

Obed McCoy - West Indies Top Wicket Taker @ 11/4

Much like the batting, the damage could be done early by the West Indies, with Uganda having struggled massively so far, skittled for 58 in their opener, before scraping to 78-7 in their win over PNG.

Only two batters reached double figures in that successful run chase and Riazat Ali Shah might tempt a few at 16/5 to finish as his side's top run scorer, having registered scores of 11 and 33 so far.

Looking towards the hosts’ bowlers though, it might be worth taking a chance on Obed McCoy to lead the way, although it would obviously pay to wait for the toss.

McCoy didn't make the team in the opener but he could be given a chance having returned match figures of 2-15, 0-32, and 3-39 in the three-match series against South Africa, while he has best-ever figures of 6-17 against India, and can be a real handful on his day.

Uganda are an obvious step down in quality and McCoy could lead the charge, with Daren Sammy perhaps pondering his options for bigger tests to come.

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