Between Test Nations and T20 Members, there
are One day Members (team ranked from 13-20 in ICC Rankings) of International
Cricket Council, they rarely get opportunity to show case their talent in front
of global audiences, that is the reason the World Cup has great significance
for them and hence the road for it, the World Cup Qualifiers becomes very
important for them and for their future
Netherlands, Scotland, United Arab Emirates,
Oman, Nepal, United States of America, Namibia and Papua New Guinea, What’s
common among them? They all are the major 8 One day international countries
beyond Test nations, they have dreamt to make it big like the top Test nations
in the world, play World Cup, build strong infrastructure and healthy cricket
future but most of the time they struggle to get the proper opportunity,
sufficient funding and support from the big countries.
It is the reason, why the World Cup and its
qualifying tournament do becomes even more crucial for them. Qualifying for the
World Cup means getting more funding, more exposure and ultimately the growth
in fan base which will ensure that they grow as a cricket country. It was one
of the main reasons why World Cup League 2 saw fierce competition between sides
and it was on the last day when Namibia crashed out while Nepal qualified for
the World Cup Qualifiers.
Among these 8 teams, Namibia and Papua New
Guinea couldn’t qualify for the tournament but for the reaming 6, the WCQ in
Zimbabwe became a pathway for all the dreams come true. We look at these teams
and how they have fared and how the future look for them
1.
Netherlands : Netherlands have been the most powerful team
beyond Test countries, in some scenarios it is better than some of the Test
countries, they were no.13 in ODI League which has been though discontinued. They qualified for the World Cup 2023 in a cut throat qualifying comeptition in Zimbabwe. They are the only non Test member who will be playing in World Cup which is infact a proud achievement for Dutch Cricket.
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| Netherland Cricket Team's Qualification to World Cup will boost its Fan base |
2.
Scotland : An another
promising team, Scotland entered in the tournament with high hopes and they
have ensured that they reach to the Super Six league. While they stand at no.3
but losing their last game against Sri Lanka have weakened their position
somewhat as-of now they will have to win their games against West Indies,
Zimbabwe and Netherlands. Scotland who have been without their senior batsmen
Callum Mcleod and Kyle Coetzer both have been retired in past year and that is
the reason their performance have been commendable.
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| Scotland were left heartbroken by a narrow miss |
3.
Oman : Oman have made
themselves proud first by qualifying for the World Cup Qualifiers and then
leaving much experienced United Arab Emirates and Cricket Frenzy Country Nepal
behind and qualifying for the Super Six. Among all the six nations who
qualified for the Super Six, Oman is the youngest of the lot and this makes
their achievement even more special. They have played their First One day
Internationals only four years ago but have made long strides.
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| Oman has progressed a lot in recent years in Cricket |
While Oman stands at no.6 among the 6 Teams in Super Six, but they should be proud of where they have reached. Even against Zimbabwe they gave scare to the hosts as they almost chased a very difficult 333 scored by the opposition and fell only 15 runs short.
4.
United
Arab Emirates: UAE
played their first ever ODI on 13th April 1994 and are senior to countries
like Kenya, Scotland, Ireland, Netherlands. However, they couldn’t achieve the desired
results in their initial years. It was only in later part of the previous decade;
UAE has made growth in International Cricket. As a team also they have kept on
making steady growth, hence it was major surprise when they couldn’t qualify for
the super sixes.
The launch of the UAE T20 League which is
considered to be the second most paid league in the world might provide Emirate’s
players a chance to work their skills and get necessary exposure.
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| UAE had a disspointed outing in recent months |
5.
Nepal: Nepal’s progress have been stunning, from being now where
on the cricket map, they have progressed a mile. They not only qualified for
the World Cup Qualifiers but seemed good to perform well for the super six.
Unfortunately the senior teams showed them how much they have to progress to be
ranked alongside Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. But the signs are promising, the fan
base also ensures that it might be a very good omen in coming time and can
achieve something special.
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| Nepal finished at no.8 but they have lot of potential |
6.
United States of America: The United States is still finding feet in
International Cricket. Most of the team is made of Asians who have settled in
USA. However, in spite of having a troubled past with the governance aspect,
due to which they were suspended by the ICC in previous decade, they have done
well to qualify for the ICC Qualifiers. The team though was exposed as its
limitation was quite evident. It might end as 10th Team in 10 team
tournament It though ranks among top 20 One Day playing Countries which is
quite an achievement for a team where Cricket still ranks much below in terms
of Sports preference for common American.
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| United States of America has to expand its fan base |
There will be heartbreaks and joys by the
time the tournament will end, number of these teams will go to prepare for the
Next edition to be played in Africa in 2027 but for that also they have to
began a long journey to qualify for the Qualifiers and then the World Cup. But
then that’s how the inspiration to get better is perceived by the teams. That
is how every country have grown and have become a major cricket nation. That is
the dream that likes of Oman, Nepal and UAE shall be carrying in years to come.
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