So is cricket finally expanding?

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Recently i followed associate cricket and world cup qualifiers and was watching videos of players from these countries and have to say that quite a few of them look international class and some would even make top international sides.

I think this is the brightest era for cricket going forward with Afghanistan and Ireland making it to test level already and likes of Scotland making a case. Pretty sure Nepal will soon follow. Good thing about these countries is they don't require expats like Hong Kong and UAE. All these teams need is more chances to play the top 8 sides.

 

[Markhor]

Yes it puts an end to the myth there's no talent in Associate cricket so there's no point in the ICC investing in them.

These teams have developed with a fraction of the sum Zimbabwe have received in ICC funds in the last few years.

 

[Shaka81]

I think it's becoming more accessible. T20 leagues have provided an opportunity for Associate players to compete at a higher level and make an earning from being professional cricketers. Whereas before most would've been amateurs.

 

[Convict]

Imagine if these teams were taking part in a 16 team, 4 groups of 4 world cup?

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

Recently i followed associate cricket and world cup qualifiers and was watching videos of players from these countries and have to say that quite a few of them look international class and some would even make top international sides.

I think this is the brightest era for cricket going forward with Afghanistan and Ireland making it to test level already and likes of Scotland making a case. Pretty sure Nepal will soon follow. Good thing about these countries is they don't require expats like Hong Kong and UAE. All these teams need is more chances to play the top 8 sides.

Agreed it is

However cricket will truly expand if teams like NED,GER who were not british colonies become good test nations

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

Yes it puts an end to the myth there's no talent in Associate cricket so there's no point in the ICC investing in them.

These teams have developed with a fraction of the sum Zimbabwe have received in ICC funds in the last few years.

Zimbabwe and Bangladesh

 

[Gabbar Singh]

The ICC are like a criminal cartel - their number one aim is to look after 4 or 5 boards and keep them rich. If the game is expanding then it’s happening in spite of the ICC not because of it.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Agreed it is

However cricket will truly expand if teams like NED,GER who were not british colonies become good test nations

Hmm weather might be a problem for test cricket in countries like Germany and Netherlands though.

 

[zn426]

Why bother? The only one who works at building cricket from the ground up is Pakistan...only for India to steal all the glory after Pakistan did the hard work.
China really should be the next market, yet nothing is being done there or in South Korea (both of which have some talent).

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Yes it’s good that smaller cricketing nations are getting more games against the big boys.They should be playing even more though.

The ICC is going backwards with a 10 team World Cup

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Why bother? The only one who works at building cricket from the ground up is Pakistan...only for India to steal all the glory after Pakistan did the hard work.
China really should be the next market, yet nothing is being done there or in South Korea (both of which have some talent).

Really?

Australia, India, England and others all have really good grass-roots set ups. Pakistan is hardly unique in this aspect.

 

[troodon]

Can't believe England choked against this bowling attack.

Outside of Evans, rest are street level.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Can't believe England choked against this bowling attack.

Outside of Evans, rest are street level.

Watt and Safyan are ok too. Watt especially i think is international class. Too bad he was confronted against an in form Malik with short boundaries and there arent many better at hitting spin in t20s than Malik.

 

[zn426]

Really?

Australia, India, England and others all have really good grass-roots set ups. Pakistan is hardly unique in this aspect.

Yes, really.
Can you name a single team that developed as a result of India,Australia, or England hosting their team matches in their grounds, allowing them to have their national or A sides play in domestic leagues there, allowing them to use their NCA or any similar equivalent in the last 20 years?

 

[troodon]

Watt and Safyan are ok too. Watt especially i think is international class. Too bad he was confronted against an in form Malik with short boundries.

That Sharif is a trundler. Can't bowl in low 70's and get away in T20's against top quality sides.

Watt is a gentle pie chucker bowler like Tahir. Pak played too cautiously against him. Should have taken him to the cleaners.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

That Sharif is a trundler. Can't bowl in low 70's and get away in T20's against top quality sides.

Watt is a gentle pie chucker bowler like Tahir. Pak played too cautiously against him. Should have taken him to the cleaners.

Should have seen Watt against Eng where he ended up with 10-55-3 when teams in total scored 736.

 

[troodon]

Should have seen Watt against Eng where he ended up with 10-55-3 when teams in total scored 736.

I say the bowling performance against England is a fluke.

Have to wait and see if the batting was also a one off or if they really have some talent.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Impressed with Scotland's batting. They will beat a lot of international teams except the #1 team.