iSporter Vipul Deshpande summarizes the World Cup and it's highs and lows so far. However, here is the question - would you call these world cup upsets, or world cup delights?
The World Cup is in its last week of league matches and is at the peak of excitement. We have witnessed some nail biting finishes which made our heart skip a beat or two, while others have been a complete one sided affair.
A lot has been said on whether the associate members deserve to play in World Cups, but it is these weaker teams who bring the surprise element in the tournament. Everyone enjoyed watching Kevin o'Brien score the almost unbelievable innings of 63 ball 113 against England which caused the first major 'upset' of this World Cup. While it was a big upset for England, Ireland were praised all over the cricketing world for their sheer determination in chasing down 327, the highest second innings total for a winning cause in the World Cup history, and Kevin o'Brien became an overnight hero.
Worse was yet to come for England as just nine days later, they suffered another humiliating defeat at the hands of dangerous Bangladesh by two wickets, who themselves were bowled out for just 59 runs in their previous game. Captain Shakib Al Hasan himself played a crucial role in this pride salvaging win of Bangladesh.
Another surprise came in group A, when Pakistan, who were a completely messed up team entering the tournament, not knowing who their captain would be, defeated Sri Lanka, who have one of the most balanced side, filled with big names.
We also witnessed Netherlands and Kenya giving England and Australia a run for their money, though they could not reach the finishing line
It is such games, which produce the most unexpected results that give an interesting twist to what would have been a predictable and hence boring tournament, had it not included the associate members or other weaker test playing nations a chance to participate in World Cup.
Not much was expected from these 'weaker' teams other than giving a scare to the strong opponents in a match or two, but they have certainly performed a lot better than that and are certainly making ICC rethink their plan to field only 10 teams in the next World Cup. Had Ireland not been participating, we would have missed the brutal counter attacking innings by Kevin o'Brien.
It also must not be forgotten that teams like India and Sri Lanka were once one of the weakest One Day sides. India had lost all their league matches in the 1979 World Cup and in the very next edition, they were the World Champions. No one took Sri Lanka seriously until they stunned the world by lifting the Trophy in 1996. Had Sri Lanka been discarded from World Cups, labeling them as a 'weak' team, cricket would have never seen two of its greatest players, r, Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan, cast their magic on the field. Bangladesh were criticized heavily for not raising their standard of performance, before they sent home India packing in the 2007 World Cup. Today they command equal, if not more respect from all opponents.
So, if One Day cricket, which has been under lot of scanner, has to survive and if ICC wants World Cups to be as interesting as they have been so far, associate members must be given a chance to participate so that cricket is the ultimate winner, as more and more world class players as well as teams will emerge.
