With only a day left to the initiation of the second season of the Major League Cricket with MLC 2024, several teams have fancied their chances with major changes to their squad. Drafting in several players, the 6 teams look more or less different from the inaugural season.
The United States pitches have been reported to be highly favoring the bowlers, as is evident after the T20 World Cup, which showed immense domination of bowlers, and hence the men with the willow seem to be in trouble ahead of MLC 2024.
Let’s take a good look at the top 5 best probable bowlers who can stand a chance to be the highest wicket-getters in the tournament.
Top 5 probable wicket-takers of MLC 2024
Naveen ul-Haq
The Afghan pacer has been Afghanistan’s second-best quickie alongside the tournament’s highest-wicket taker, Farooqi. Naveen is a world-class talent, and he has proved his worth repeatedly, just like he did in his encounter against Bangladesh that earned Afghanistan their semi-final spot.
Naveen can surely be one of the most standout bowlers to feature in the MLC for the Texas Super Kings. All that is to be seen is if Naveen can perform according to his standards and find himself among the top wicket-takers of the tournament.
Trent Boult
The 34-year-old Kiwi veteran has announced his retirement from international T20s and hence will be keeping his focus on franchise-level cricket. Playing for the MI New York team in MLC 2024, Boult will be seen as their lead pacer, though they have the likes of Rabada and Nortje.
His wicket-taking ability with the new ball has been praised over many years, especially his performance in the powerplay. Boult, like several times before, will surely be seen among the favorite bowlers of the tournament.
Anrich Nortje
South Africa’s evolving fast bowler has been a star in the T20 World Cup campaign, and his success seemed inevitable in the cup. Nortje, who did very well under pace-favoring pitches of the United States, is once again expected to excel in the MLC.
Nortje will be playing for the MI New York this time and will be seen bowling mostly in the death overs alongside Khan and Rabada; hence, his efficiency would not be put to much of a threat. With him being the third bowler on our list from MI, New York, we can already anticipate how thrilling their bowling deck will be and how dominating they will be.
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Pat Cummins
Cummins is newly drafted into the MLC to spark his greatness in the tournament. Cummins is all set to feature for the Unicorns, as he will be seen leading their pace attack. Cummins, who was one of Australia’s best strike bowlers in their short World Cup campaign alongside Zampa, will be using the conditions at US to great use.
Cummins picked a hat-trick against Bangladesh and went on to secure the same against Afghanistan until Warner dropped a sitter in the hat-trick ball. Playing for the Unicorns, Cummins can be foreseen as one of the star performers who is set to feature in the MLC 2024.
Rashid Khan
Khan has always been a special inclusion for T20 franchise teams. However, Rashid did lack his prime in some recent years, though he bounced back during his campaign in the T20 World Cup for Afghanistan. He was simply in his best form; it seemed the US pitches were ideal for the star-spinner to bounce back.
Khan will be seen playing for the MI New York and will be their most reliable spinner for not only their side but also the entire tournament. Rashid would once again be expected to serve the most with his antics, as he remains the only spinner in our list of top 5 bowling preferences.
