T20, Like Sevens in Rugby, Can Boost Small Nations

Tim Wigmore offers his weekly look at news and views in associate cricket.

- Tim Wigmore

Associate cricket’s great problem is that,outside appearances in world events, cricket fans too often forget that it even exists. Changing that is long overdue.

This is what associate nations are planning. I understand that talks are advanced for the creation of an annual tournament for the leading eight associates in T20 cricket – ideally playing with Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, too, if they do not find an excuse to avoid taking part.

The first tournament could be played in the UAE in January. It would follow a short, dynamic format – two groups, of either four or five, depending on whether or not Bangladesh and Zimbabwe compete, leading to the semi-finals and final. The whole event would be all over in 12 days.

Such a tournament would give associate cricket a focus over and above qualifying for world events – and that matters more than ever given the absurdity of the 2019 and 2023 World Cups comprising only ten teams each. It would provide an annual pinnacle for the associate game, and a means of keeps players, fans and sponsors engaged.

Most important, the cricket would be very good and unpredictable. Consider that Afghanistan, who memorably toppled the West Indies in this year’s World T20, only came fifth in the WT20 qualifiers a year ago and were defeated by the UAE in the Asia Cup qualifiers this year. Ireland have slipped so much in T20 cricket that they are now ranked 15th in the world. Teams like Netherlands, Scotland and Hong Kong are all skilled T20 sides, who badly crave more exposure and high-pressure matches.