Cricket is game of uncertainty where a lesser known side can defeat strong opponents on the day. In the previous 5 to six years the associate and minnow nations like Ireland, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan have performed brilliantly. Ireland the best associate nation has defeated some strong teams like England in World Cup 2011 beating them in high scoring match, then beating Pakistan in 2007 knocking out the Pakistani team from the 1st round. The T-20 world cups had lesser known teams like Holland, Ireland, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. These teams need more matches against the stronger team like India, South Africa, Sri Lanka and England. Holland had defeated England in 2009 T-20 World cup and also in the 2014 ICC T-20 World cup in Bangladesh.
Afghanistan, another associate nation is the team to watch out for. This team had defeated Bangladesh in the Asia Cup 2014. They played against Pakistan and Australia. They have played in the T-20 World Cups in 2010 and also in 2012. They have qualified for the World Cup 2015 for the first time which is big achievement.
All these lesser known sides have at least one or two good players that can change the situation of match with the power hitting but the negative side is that they are not able put pressure through their bowling. The Ireland side has KO Brian which has fastest hundred in world cups. I think the best way of making them a good team is to allow them as matches with top sides and ICC must not throw straight into big tournament. Bangladesh have improved a lot with winning more matches than they used to do but the main problem is the consistency. In 2014 Bangladesh has lost series against Sri Lanka, West Indies, not able to qualify for the semi-finals of the Asia Cup.
In the T-20 World cup 2014 6 top associate nations have a chance to show their talent and make a name for themselves. Canada, USA, Namibia, Hong Kong, Nepal, Uganda and other lesser known nations are participating to qualify for the World Cup T-20 2014 out of which Hong Kong, Nepal, Bangladesh, Ireland, Afghanistan, UAE, Holland, Zimbabwe got a chance to participate in T-20 World cup. The Under 19 World cup are also seeing the teams like PNG, Nepal to showcase the talent and compete with top teams. I think Ireland, Holland are the best teams among all these teams.
The ICC must see to that by participating in these prestigious tournaments they can learn the nuances of the game and try to improve their cricket daily. Holland the second best associate nations have beaten the likes England in T-20 World cup 2010 and scored 290 against the same team in World Cup 2011.
Yes I think that the lesser known sides should be allowed to play because this makes competition more stiffer and if the top teams take them lightly they can sting and surprise the tough teams.