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https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/339883
The coming weeks will see a lot of one-day cricket action, and significantly, there will also be huge context to go with it. These matches will have a bearing on which teams qualify directly for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and the fate of at least two former world champions is on the line.
Pakistan and the West Indies will be among the teams fighting to improve their positions in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings as host England and seven other top sides as on 30 September this year qualify for the pinnacle 50-over event.
The remaining four teams will have to come through a Qualifying tournament in 2018 which will also see six other sides from the ICC World Cricket League Championship compete for two slots. Though a team like Pakistan or the West Indies could miss direct qualification but still be able to make it through the Qualifiers, it’s not something you want to do as a side with such a rich tradition of the game.
The West Indies will play England in three ODIs from 3-9 March, Sri Lanka plays Bangladesh in three ODIs from 25 March to 1 April while the West Indies and Pakistan take on each other in three matches from 7-11 April. South Africa, Australia, England, New Zealand and India should make it directly with sixth-placed Sri Lanka (98 points), Bangladesh (91), Pakistan (89) and the West Indies (86) all within 12 points of each other with the focus solely on direct qualification.
As a player I would like to qualify directly rather than play Qualifiers - it puts pressure on everyone - players, selectors, administrators. As a commentator though I’m very, very excited because the pressure will improve the game of cricket and arouse interest in spectators. If you think of it, these matches add the kind of context needed in ODI cricket and the ICC deserves full praise for it.
Lots of people have been saying that interest in ODIs is set to diminish with the advent of Twenty20 cricket but I think ODI cricket is holding on to its own, especially with this kind of context. For that matter, I’m also impressed with the ICC Women’s Championship in which eight teams play each other in three-match series and the top four qualify directly for the ICC Women’s World Cup. The other teams make it through the Qualifiers. Now, that’s what I call context!
Then we also have the ICC Champions Trophy this season – which is always top of the ladder stuff – the name says it all. This Champions Trophy is being held in England, where the facilities are incredible. Venues like Cardiff and Birmingham means Asian teams will get a lot of support.
The West Indies, which has not made it to the ICC Champions Trophy, often misses top players like Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Sunil Narine, Suleiman Benn and Kieron Pollard in the side and that makes a lot of difference. It can be a different unit with these players around.
As for Pakistan, it needs to bring its ‘A game’ into all matches, including in the Champions Trophy, with qualification in mind. Pakistan has been playing virtually non-stop cricket since its tour of England last July, during which it has played some 74 days of international cricket in 197 calendar days and that won’t be making things any easier for the team.
Pakistan cricket has been struggling in ODIs for not just five-six months but for over two years – that’s why they are where they are. Now, they also have to cope with a change of captains from Azhar Ali to Sarfraz Ahmed. It is also an inexperienced side but I’m sure the selection committee headed by Inzamam-ul-Haq will pick the best side. I’ve seen quite some talent in the Pakistan Super League and the likes of leg-spinner Usama Mir (Karachi Kings) and left-handed batsman Hussain Talat (Islamabad United) should be considered.
Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe 3-2 in the recent ODI series. Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe 3-2 in the recent ODI series.
Cricket is a very important game for the sub-continent and its growth has been huge, especially in Bangladesh, whose fans too will be following its fortunes with great interest. I remember that at the time I played for Abhani Cricket Club in 1994, driving down to the ground I used to see young boys playing football everywhere. When I visited the country again three years ago – I could only see cricket being played everywhere. That’s how much the game has grown in that country and the team too has improved a lot.
A word here for another Asian country - Afghanistan, which beat Zimbabwe 3-2 in a recent ODI series. I really like the way they play. They are playing fearless cricket, a different brand of the game. I’m sure ICC’s investment has paid dividends and if the country has a solid first-class structure in place – it will give other teams a real run for their money.
The coming weeks will see a lot of one-day cricket action, and significantly, there will also be huge context to go with it. These matches will have a bearing on which teams qualify directly for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 and the fate of at least two former world champions is on the line.
Pakistan and the West Indies will be among the teams fighting to improve their positions in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings as host England and seven other top sides as on 30 September this year qualify for the pinnacle 50-over event.
The remaining four teams will have to come through a Qualifying tournament in 2018 which will also see six other sides from the ICC World Cricket League Championship compete for two slots. Though a team like Pakistan or the West Indies could miss direct qualification but still be able to make it through the Qualifiers, it’s not something you want to do as a side with such a rich tradition of the game.
The West Indies will play England in three ODIs from 3-9 March, Sri Lanka plays Bangladesh in three ODIs from 25 March to 1 April while the West Indies and Pakistan take on each other in three matches from 7-11 April. South Africa, Australia, England, New Zealand and India should make it directly with sixth-placed Sri Lanka (98 points), Bangladesh (91), Pakistan (89) and the West Indies (86) all within 12 points of each other with the focus solely on direct qualification.
As a player I would like to qualify directly rather than play Qualifiers - it puts pressure on everyone - players, selectors, administrators. As a commentator though I’m very, very excited because the pressure will improve the game of cricket and arouse interest in spectators. If you think of it, these matches add the kind of context needed in ODI cricket and the ICC deserves full praise for it.
Lots of people have been saying that interest in ODIs is set to diminish with the advent of Twenty20 cricket but I think ODI cricket is holding on to its own, especially with this kind of context. For that matter, I’m also impressed with the ICC Women’s Championship in which eight teams play each other in three-match series and the top four qualify directly for the ICC Women’s World Cup. The other teams make it through the Qualifiers. Now, that’s what I call context!
Then we also have the ICC Champions Trophy this season – which is always top of the ladder stuff – the name says it all. This Champions Trophy is being held in England, where the facilities are incredible. Venues like Cardiff and Birmingham means Asian teams will get a lot of support.
The West Indies, which has not made it to the ICC Champions Trophy, often misses top players like Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Sunil Narine, Suleiman Benn and Kieron Pollard in the side and that makes a lot of difference. It can be a different unit with these players around.
As for Pakistan, it needs to bring its ‘A game’ into all matches, including in the Champions Trophy, with qualification in mind. Pakistan has been playing virtually non-stop cricket since its tour of England last July, during which it has played some 74 days of international cricket in 197 calendar days and that won’t be making things any easier for the team.
Pakistan cricket has been struggling in ODIs for not just five-six months but for over two years – that’s why they are where they are. Now, they also have to cope with a change of captains from Azhar Ali to Sarfraz Ahmed. It is also an inexperienced side but I’m sure the selection committee headed by Inzamam-ul-Haq will pick the best side. I’ve seen quite some talent in the Pakistan Super League and the likes of leg-spinner Usama Mir (Karachi Kings) and left-handed batsman Hussain Talat (Islamabad United) should be considered.
Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe 3-2 in the recent ODI series. Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe 3-2 in the recent ODI series.
Cricket is a very important game for the sub-continent and its growth has been huge, especially in Bangladesh, whose fans too will be following its fortunes with great interest. I remember that at the time I played for Abhani Cricket Club in 1994, driving down to the ground I used to see young boys playing football everywhere. When I visited the country again three years ago – I could only see cricket being played everywhere. That’s how much the game has grown in that country and the team too has improved a lot.
A word here for another Asian country - Afghanistan, which beat Zimbabwe 3-2 in a recent ODI series. I really like the way they play. They are playing fearless cricket, a different brand of the game. I’m sure ICC’s investment has paid dividends and if the country has a solid first-class structure in place – it will give other teams a real run for their money.
