ICC is all set to widen the chance for Ireland and Afghanistan to qualify in the 2019 World Cup
The International Cricket Council is widening the hope for Ireland and Afghanistan to qualify in the controversial 10 team World Cup in 2019 and rang the alarm bell for the countries like West Indies, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
ICC after the 2011 World Cup India declared the 2019 World Cup and 2023 World Cup would be a 10 team affair. As it stands, the upcoming edition of the 50 over showpiece will stop eight of the 12 teams ICC rankings –on 30 September 2017- go through by right. This decision from ICC narrowed the hope of playing World Cup for leading Associate members Ireland and Afghanistan as two lowered rank team will vie for the world cup berth along with other associates countries. But, the following the rampant criticism ICC is mulling the option of changing the structure of direct qualification right to cut the number of the side that boo their places via the ranking, leaving the four berths up for grabs.
The decision to give pass for direct qualification for the first six team in ICC ranking and leaving the bottom six into World Cup qualifier in Bangladesh in 2018, would also add increased context to one day international played over the next two years with the top sides more fearful of dropping into the bottom half of the table.
Aspar the current ICC ranking, England are at the sixth position they would be assured of their places as tournament host- and full members Bangladesh, West Indies, Pakistan and Zimbabwe, along with two leading associate sides Ireland and Afghanistan, would vie with four additional teams for the final four places.
The news will be a further jolt for West Indies, in Particular, with the two times World Cup winner having recently missed out on qualification for the 2017 Champions Trophy –alos being played in England – after slipping to ninth in the rankings when the cut-off point for that competition came at the end of last month.
Ireland and Afghanistan were officially added to the one-day rankings in January this year, were among the most vocal critics of the World Cup’s slimming down when it was confirmed in November last year five wins against full member sides in their last three appearances in the finals.
ICC was brutally criticised by Fica, the umbrella group for seven player’s unions, and the MCC World Cricket Committee, which described it as, “ a retrograde step that damages the potential for growth in cricket’s developing nations.”
ICC reduced the tournament into a 10 team affair through to 2023 World Cup under the agreed television broadcasting rights but should this proposed change be adopted, their chances of reaching the finals would be at least increased from the previously agreed qualification system.
In addition to the new structure, which is still under discussion, future qualifying tournaments after the 2018 round robin in Bangladesh could be held in the United Arab Emirates, where Pakistan are currently playing Pakistan in their three-match Test series.