Published: Feb 28, 2015, 08:04 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 27, 2015, 10:31 PM (IST)
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will play India at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. The UAE are eager to prove a point following two good performances against Zimbabwe and Ireland. The biggest debate at the ICC World Cup 2015 has been about the possible non-inclusion of the Associates at the next big event. Nishad Pai Vaidya writes about the Associates’ case as the UAE prepare for their big game against India.
Perhaps the biggest debate at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 has been the possible non-inclusion of the Associates in the next event. The ICC had earlier announced its intention to have a shorter World Cup in 2019, with lesser teams. The main intention was to have a few teams, who would have good chances of going all the way, rather than having many sides, which will include those only making the numbers. However, the performances of the Associates in the ongoing tournament has been heartening. Ireland and Afghanistan have been very good, while Scotland and United Arab Emirates (UAE) have also given ample evidence of their ability. Read: ICC, Associates and World Cup cricket
The support for the Associates in the general cricketing community has been good, with an online petition doing the rounds. That has perhaps put the ICC on the backfoot, with Dave Richardson, saying that the format for the next World Cup is yet to be decided. Speaking to AFP, Richardson said, “I’ve learnt never to say never to anything. I’m sure the format of the next World Cup will be debated after this one has finished.” While the ICC may endeavour to make it a more competitive event, there is no denying the fact that the World Cup is a platform most nations use to build their cricket. Read: ICC vs Associates: What will it take to melt the cricket governing body’s heart?
Go back to 1996, when Kenya burst on to the scene. In the years ahead, they played at the highest level on numerous occasions and then went on to qualify for the semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2003 in South Africa. That is another matter that they slipped in the following years, but it showed how a World Cup appearance could help a side. How can one forget Bangladesh? The turning point of their cricketing history came in the 1999 World Cup when they beat Pakistan. The following year, they were awarded Test status.
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Talk about Ireland, who have beaten a frontline Test side in each of the three World Cups they have played. Then there is an Afghanistan, who have risen to the ranks in the last few years and have also impressed in the Asia Cup and the ongoing World Cup. Allowing the Associates to play the World Cup gives them direction, for they plan their strategies over a four-year period and chart out their path. This gives them definite goals and if it is made tougher for them with a qualifying tournament involving the lower ranked Test sides, it puts their progress in a jiffy. Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates get ready to play India at the WACA, Perth and are eager to put pressure on the ICC. They have had two good games so far and if they put in a competitive performance against the fancied India, things could help them. Aaqib Javed, the former Pakistan fast-bowler, who is now UAE’s coach, told reporters, “We have got four games and they will decide where we want to be. I feel we want to put a lot of pressure on ICC to review their decision. When we will do well against the other teams, they will give us more chances to play. When we will give the bigger sides a tough time, when we will compete, they will definitely consider giving us more games.” Top 10 bowlers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
Mudassar Nazar, who is UAE’s batting consultant, told CricketCountry, “We would like to continue to do well in these tournaments, especially this one and make a strong enough case for the ICC to revisit that.” If you need more countries to play your sport, you need to allow them to play a lot more against the big sides. UAE, Afghanistan, Ireland and Scotland are hoping the ICC reviews their decision, for they have put in a lot of hard work in the World Cup so far and are eyeing steady progress in the years ahead.
