Na Maloom Afraad
Man of Tomorrow
As awkward as it was, I think the solution may just be the 14-team format with 2 groups of 7.
I sort of agree and I sort of don't. I think the gulf between teams has somewhat diminished. In the last T20 World Cup, Pakistan lost to Zimbabwe, England lost to Ireland and South Africa lost to the Netherlands. Not to mention how close Afghanistan came to beating Australia.
Only a few months prior to that, a full-strength Australian side was beaten by Zimbabwe. Recently, Pakistan lost to Afghanistan. Even in the last World Cup, both India and Pakistan came incredibly close to losing to Afghanistan. I know some examples may be a little unconvincing because they were T20 matches, and the format itself tends to be fickle at times, but you look at recent examples like that, realize that Ireland were one series win away from securing a direct berth over South Africa (and they kinda only missed out because of two washouts), you see how well Zimbabwe are doing. How much Afghanistan have improved. The potential Ireland has with genuine world-beaters like Tector and Little coming through, the Netherlands running the Windies into the ground as we speak, and I think you'll come around to the fact that all 12 teams should've been at the World Cup + two of the best associates in the Netherlands and (possibly?) Scotland.
You bring back the 14-team format and everyone wins. We get the best teams in the World Cup, the broadcasters get their share of India matches.
Maybe the next time an expansion comes around, teams like the Netherlands and Zimbabwe will have lost some luster. This timeframe right now would've been perfect for a World Cup like that.
