Associate Nations Cup is a new T20 format that the ICC has put to increase the standard and give more cricketing action and bring associate nations a view to the world. 10 Teams will be participating in Season 1 of this Associate Nations Cup. All these team are top associate teams and have played international level cricket some or other time. This cup format is designed such a way that top four teams that is the Semi-Finalist directly qualify for the T20 World Cup and bottom two team relegate and 2 other associate nations come up and take their place. Format see's flexibility as that it does not clash with any domestic tournament.
Each country must send 14 of their best players and then the 10 countries will be divided in a group pool of 2. Group A and Group B. Each teams play each other twice and then the top two teams will go through and qualify for the semi-finals.
To increase interest of the people this cup will be played in different parts of the world, but this year the Associate Nation Cup is been held in 2 countries. Group A matches will be played in Australia and Group B matches will be played in England. ICC have spoken to the particular countries cricketing board and have decided to cut down the ticket prices drastically so that people come and enjoy the most entertaining form of cricket the T20 cricket.
Teams that are participating are
- Ireland
- Kenya
- Zimbabwe
- Afghanistan
- Canada
- Scotland
- United Arab Emirates
- United States Of America
- Netherlands
- Bermuda
All the country boards are excited about this tournament held by the ICC and are happy to see Associate Nations getting motivation which only the way to increase and spread cricket all over the world. Cash Rich BCCI to said " We are happy that ICC have taken this decision to promote the Associate Nations. We will serve ICC in every possible way and we would love to see one or two nations from these to get the test status"
ICC also announced the groups for the following tournament and said fixtures will be out in a day or so.
Group A - Australia
Team Name
Ireland
Canada
Netherlands
United States Of America
Afghanistan
Group B - England
Team Name
Kenya
Zimbabwe
United Arab Emirates
Scotland
Bermuda
Ireland
Canada
Netherlands
United States Of America
Afghanistan
Group B - England
Kenya
Zimbabwe
United Arab Emirates
Scotland
Bermuda
Story Index
Ireland Team Preview
Kenya Team Preview
Afghanistan Team Preview
Credits
Sim : Sohum
Images : Google
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