- The International Cricket Council (ICC) organized T20 World Cup is underway in India and Sri Lanka. Cricket connoisseurs, experts, ex-players, and crazy fans are rooting for their respective teams to emerge victorious. This edition of the World Cup has a few associate members competing alongside the established Test-playing nations. Teams like Italy, USA, Namibia, Nepal, the Netherlands, and Scotland have qualified for the marquee event, offering them an opportunity to test skills against the big names in the sport. Of course, many teams may be playing against the powerhouse teams like India, Australia, England, South Africa, and Pakistan for the first time, and hence must be feeling the heat of living up to the standards/expectations.
PC: Deccan Herald
- However, what must not be discounted is the fact that cricket as a game is spreading its presence to nook and corner of the world. It’s no mean achievement, and the credit should go to the ICC for diligently following the efforts to spread the game wide and far. Most importantly, the shortest format of the game suits the modern-day requirement, offering the benefits of less time but complete entertainment. The thrill-a-ball format provides ample opportunities for the minnows as well as the organisers/sponsors to market the sport in a meaningful and effective manner. This is where the established teams could prove invaluable in not only allowing the newbies the taste of the highest levels of competition but also a platform to hone skills.
PC: CNN
- The moot point to ponder over here is whether the minnows are equipped with an international level of infrastructure as well as desired resources, including investment to support the ICC’s endeavours to spread the reach of the game. Even a country like the USA is still taking initial steps to recognize cricket as a professional sport, allowing more youngsters to opt for it. Other associate nations participating in the ongoing World Cup are made up of players who are not fully professional cricketers but madly interested players willing to make huge sacrifices to represent their respective teams with the sole aim of brushing shoulders with the more acclaimed counterparts from established teams. Bodes well for the spread of the game for sure.
PC: IPL.com
- As the World Cup reaches the next stage, it will be interesting to note how the minnows have fared against the stronger teams. Will there be any upset with the weaker sides overcoming the challenges of facing the established teams? As we would pursue this article, a not-so-weaker/minnow team like Zimbabwe has already stunned a champion team like Australia in the group stage match. Nepal came close to beating England in the group stage as well. Again, Team Afghanistan made South Africa sweat over two super overs and lost the game agonizingly. The USA gave a real fight against Team India before folding up. These close encounters offer a glimpse of what things could be like if the minnows are allowed to participate against stronger teams.
