Just a couple of weeks after the ICC failed to re-open the debate around the reduction of the World Cup to just 10 teams for 2019, another opportunity for the best associates and affiliates to test themselves on the global stage begins.
The ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers are to be held in Scotland and Ireland between July 9-26.
Of the fourteen teams competing, six will progress to the preliminary round of the World T20 in India next March where they will join the lowest ranked full member nations to battle it out for a place in the main draw.
As such this is effectively a qualifying tournament for the actual qualifying tournament. Sadly it is now much more difficult for an associate team to ever take on the best on the global stage.
Nevertheless this will be an exciting few weeks with plenty on the line for the competing nations. Ireland are the clear standouts in Group A, which also comprises Hong Kong, Jersey, Namibia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and the USA.
Afghanistan, Canada, Kenya, Netherlands, Oman, Scotland and the United Arab Emirates form a very competitive Group B.
Major broadcasters, including Sky Sports, Star Sports and even the Asian Television Network in Canada, are showing some interest so promisingly there will be some exposure for these teams around the world.
There are five players I’ll be watching with interest.
Craig Young (Ireland)
Young is an impressive fast bowler who was a squad member in the World Cup earlier this year but surprisingly not given any games in the tournament. I saw him destroy Scotland on his ODI debut with a five-wicket haul and he could cause havoc in Group A.
Roelof van der Merwe (Netherlands)
The Dutchman has played Twenty20 and ODI cricket for South Africa, including a man of the match performance on debut against Australia, as well as appearing in the IPL. Recently committed to the Netherlands where his canny left-arm spin and right-handed big hitting will be critical to their chances of progressing in the tournament.
Charles Amini (Papua New Guinea)
Amini is the latest in Papua New Guinea’s premier cricket family: his grandfather, father and mother all having captained the country and his brother has played too. A leg spinner is always worth watching and he’ll also bat in the middle order. Part of an impressive developing side who recently defeated the Netherlands in the Intercontinental Cup.
Mohammad Shahzad (Afghanistan)
Shahzad is on the comeback trail having controversially missed selection for the World Cup due to his rotund appearance. Keeps wicket and is an audacious striker in the top order. Back in favour, and just 27, he is one of the more experienced Afghanis with three ODI centuries, five Twenty20 fifties, and a Twenty20 strike rate of 122.
Preston Mommsen (Scotland)
The Scotsman did not hold back recently in his criticism of the reduced World Cup opportunities for associate members. The inspirational skipper led his team to comprehensive victory over an admittedly weakened Ireland in a recent Twenty20 series and will have a big role to play with bat and captaincy to ensure Scotland progress in home conditions.
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