The Underdogs at Cricket's Biggest Stage
At the ICC World Cup 2015, many eyes will be at the underdogs of the tournament, namely Scotland, Ireland, Afghanistan and UAE. All four had to qualify to gain the privilege of playing at the game’s greatest stage. Ireland and Afghanistan qualified through the World Cricket League while Scotland and UAE had to play the World Cup qualifiers to get through.
Ireland Ireland has appeared in two world cups now, taking on the greatest stage in 2007 and again in 2011. Their performance in the 2007 world cup was applauded by many. It included a tie with Zimbabwe and wins over Pakistan and Bangladesh. Ireland’s victory over Pakistan, which was the 4th ranked team in ODI internationals at the time, heaped piles of applause for the team and the coaching staff. They bowed out of the tournament at the super eight stage, exceeding most of the peoples’ expectations. In 2009, Ireland recorded another victory over Bangladesh, this time in the T20 format.
It was one particular match in the 2011 world cup that the Irish people will always cherish. In their group stage encounter against arch rivals England, Ireland successfully chased a target of 329, setting a new record for the highest successful run chase in world cup history. Kevin O’Brien was a major contributor in this achievement, scoring the fastest century ever in a world cup, managing the feat in just 50 balls.
In 2015, Ireland is grouped against India, Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies, Zimbabwe and UAE. Qualifying for the next stage will be tough, but no one can bet against the Irish considering all the surprises they have come up with in their history.
Afghanistan The Afghanistan cricket team gained ODI status in 2013, after consistent successes of qualifying to the 2010 world T20 tournament and winning the Intercontinental Cup. However, this will be their first time in an ODI world cup. Their recent wins against Zimbabwe in the tour and one against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup will give them encouragement for going out on the big stage and contesting against the world’s greatest teams.
They will be up against England, Australia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Scotland in their group, therefore it can be said that the task ahead is not easy. They will be counting upon the likes of Asghar Stanikzai, Mohammad Shehzad and Samiullah Shinwari to perform and get the team through to the super eights.
UAE UAE qualified for the 2015 world cup through the qualifier rounds, losing in the final to Scotland but qualifying nonetheless. They have regained their ODI status and are now looking forward to the world cup once again, after having performed in the 1996 tournament which was held in South Asia. Their recent victories over Hong Kong and Nepal in the Asian Premier League will give the team much needed encouragement.
Their upcoming matches against Western Australia and South Australia will serve as major tests for the team looking forward to achieve big things on the grand stage. Their group matches are tough, seeing as they have been pitted against India, Pakistan, South Africa and West Indies for consecutive games. However, under the leadership of veteran Khurram Khan, the team is hoping for successes against the big nations of the game.
Scotland Scotland are targeting a place in the knockout phase of the 2015 world cup after having failed to get past the group stage in their two previous appearances on the grand stage, in 1999 and 2007. Recent success against UAE and Netherlands will encourage the Scottish and their on-going tournament against New Zealand will be the one in accordance to which their strength will be measured.
Their squad does boast talents like Majid Haq, Gordon Drummond and Richie Berrington. They’ve been placed in pool A and will contest the group stage against the likes of England, Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Bangladesh. Without a doubt, the world will have its eyes on Scotland when they come out on the Australian pitches in February.