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Re: Afghanistan Watch 2016-2018

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 4:02 am
by Kriterion_BD
ACB has plans to formally apply to the ICC for full membership.

I think Bangladesh has shown the ICC what a little bit of patience can do for world cricket if you promote the "right" nations. Bangladesh were behind Kenya when we got Test status in 2000, and we were well behind. However, Kenya never had the potential for growth beyond what they already had...they could only go down from where they were.

In this regard, Ireland are in a bit of a precarious position, especially if their players leave for England or other countries. Still, one hopes that Ireland can be like NZ...a tiny country but with enough passion and acumen to make a competitive side. Scotland could theoretically then follow the Irish model.

But Afghanistan and Nepal are countries the ICC should target. Assuming the Afghans get Test status anyways, thats a moot point. But Nepal should be promoted to ODI status. Again, this might be in the works already with the proposed 13 team ODI league. But Nepal will be under pressure, and their development can be accelerated if a similar ranked side is also included to make it a 14 team league (PNG would by my guess...or any nation that has some popularity with cricket and relies on homegrown players rather than just immigrants).

The important thing is that, everyone has to be patient. These teams will occiasionally be horrendous. But with a large player base, passionate fan following, and continous chances...they will over time eventually become competetive. And they will probably do it faster than the 15 years it took Bangladesh.

Re: Afghanistan Watch 2016-2018

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 1:35 pm
by ZIMDOGGY
The problem is that Afghanistan is an unstable country beyond anything we have ever seen before.

They still stone girls that speak to boys ffs. And that's mainstream.

We know the problems Pakistan face, Afghanistan have that issue tenfold.

I can't see ICC being keen on this.

Re: Afghanistan Watch 2016-2018

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 5:21 pm
by Kriterion_BD
Everything that happens in Afghanistan happens in Pakistan, and to a lesser extent Bangladesh. No one is asking people to tour Afghanistan. They are based in India now.

Despite their issues, Afghanistan have produced some good talent. That speaks volumes for their potential.

Re: Afghanistan Watch 2016-2018

Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 4:36 pm
by Kriterion_BD
Ireland need to bat out 2 days to save this match. There is no final for the IC Cup anymore...whoever wins this is likely to win the IC Cup and play Zim for the Test Challenge.

Re: Afghanistan Watch 2016-2018

Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 2:27 pm
by grant
Such an emphatic victory! An innings and 172 runs is a huge margin. With this win, Afghanistan should win the IC Cup quite comfortably.

Re: Afghanistan Watch 2016-2018

Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2017 7:40 am
by jaybro
Afghanistan just destroyed the West Indies in the Caribbean!!!! Rashad Khan takes 7-18 !!!! Makes me feel a little a better about Zimbabwe losing so many times to them ......

Re: Afghanistan Watch 2016-2018

Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2017 7:40 am
by Kriterion_BD
Absolutely demolished the Windies on their own turf. Rashid Khan with a 7 wicket haul...he may just be the best bowler in ODI cricket at the moment!

Can the Afghans win the series??? Would be a huge boost to their cricket.

Re: Afghanistan Watch 2016-2018

Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2017 11:56 pm
by eugene
Afghanistan are now well out of sight of Zimbabwe I think. When did we last demolish the Windies anywhere?

Re: Afghanistan Watch 2016-2018

Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2017 3:13 am
by JHunter
Yup. Afghanistan did really well and lots of credit to them. They have two bowlers in the top ten for ODIs now and deservedly so.

What won't surprise me though is that the experience of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will teach the wider cricketing commentariat nothing: the "minnow" tag is demeaning and pointless. The number 8 side (Pakistan) is now in the Champions Trophy final and the team ranked 10th has two of the top 10 ODI bowlers in the world right now. However, for some reason (I attribute it to very limited brain capacity) anything over the number "8" seems to be a stretch too far for most of them. They can't expand their horizons to see where cricket could be in a few years without the constant attempts to shut nations out that aren't ranked above a particular cut off point. Had they had their way years ago, Bangladesh would not be in the Champions Trophy now and Afghanistan wouldn't even have a dream of full membership.

Re: Afghanistan Watch 2016-2018

Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2017 10:48 pm
by Kriterion_BD
Test status achieved!!!!

But hopefully there is a real and clear pathway for the bottom 3 teams to get promoted to the top tier. Otherwise this is counter productive window dressing...ie a veritable InterContinental Cup.

Ideally the bottom 3 get regular fixtures against the top 9. And even more ideally those fixtures should count towards the points table for the top 9. So a loss by a major side would really set them back.