Zimbabwe to face Irish/ Afghans in 4 match Test Series
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 2:13 pm
When the Intercontinental Cup was initiated by the ICC as part of their global development programme, the concept of an Associate using the competition as a vehicle to vie for Test status was a pipe dream. Thirteen years on, it's a prospect both Afghanistan and Ireland are faced with; the winner of the current Intercontinental Cup edition will take another step closer to cricket's ultimate dream.
Much discussion recently have pegged a double bump up for both sides, but that will depend on ICC's reforms being approved, a long-drawn process if history is any indication. For now, only the champion of the Intercontinental Cup will advance to the 2018 Test Challenge, a four-match series against the bottom-ranked Test side, currently Zimbabwe.
As such, the stakes remain high in the four-day showdown in Greater Noida, particularly since the format has undergone a slight tweak. Unlike previously where the top two sides met in a final at a neutral venue, the group topper after seven rounds will be declared the winner this time around. Therefore, it's fair to say this clash will have plenty riding on it, perhaps more than any of the six previous finals have.
If Afghanistan claim full points, they will sneak past Ireland by a point. Their final two games are against Hong Kong and UAE, currently placed last. An Ireland loss would mean they'd be in an uphill battle to surge past Afghanistan since they arguably have the toughest remaining slate of any team in the competition - against Netherlands and Scotland.
Though currently second and 19 points behind Ireland, momentum is on Afghanistan's side. A thumping 10-wicket demolition of Ireland in the final of the Desert T20 Challenge has been followed by a 3-0 T20I sweep and a 3-2 ODI series win this month over the same opponent. In between the Desert T20 and hosting Ireland, they had another 3-2 ODI series win over Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe.
Ireland, who have won four of the last five Intercontinental Cups, have been consistent in the tournament at least. This time around, they have stormed not only to four wins in four matches, but have also claimed full points including a pair of win by innings margins. All set them for a cracker.
Much discussion recently have pegged a double bump up for both sides, but that will depend on ICC's reforms being approved, a long-drawn process if history is any indication. For now, only the champion of the Intercontinental Cup will advance to the 2018 Test Challenge, a four-match series against the bottom-ranked Test side, currently Zimbabwe.
As such, the stakes remain high in the four-day showdown in Greater Noida, particularly since the format has undergone a slight tweak. Unlike previously where the top two sides met in a final at a neutral venue, the group topper after seven rounds will be declared the winner this time around. Therefore, it's fair to say this clash will have plenty riding on it, perhaps more than any of the six previous finals have.
If Afghanistan claim full points, they will sneak past Ireland by a point. Their final two games are against Hong Kong and UAE, currently placed last. An Ireland loss would mean they'd be in an uphill battle to surge past Afghanistan since they arguably have the toughest remaining slate of any team in the competition - against Netherlands and Scotland.
Though currently second and 19 points behind Ireland, momentum is on Afghanistan's side. A thumping 10-wicket demolition of Ireland in the final of the Desert T20 Challenge has been followed by a 3-0 T20I sweep and a 3-2 ODI series win this month over the same opponent. In between the Desert T20 and hosting Ireland, they had another 3-2 ODI series win over Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe.
Ireland, who have won four of the last five Intercontinental Cups, have been consistent in the tournament at least. This time around, they have stormed not only to four wins in four matches, but have also claimed full points including a pair of win by innings margins. All set them for a cracker.
