T20 and T20I cricket prediction and discussion

[Theones]

We already have 10 usual suspects (Ind +Eng+Pak+Ban +Sa+Afg + Aus +Nz + WI +SL ). As of now few names comes into my mind such as Ireland + Zimbabwe +UAE + Singapore + Nepal +  Netherlands + Oman + Namibia + Qatar + Papua New Guinea then add few more teams so i think its not a impossible task to create new set up if ICC gets their act together and willing to do some meaningful change.

Zimbabwe was already in usual suspect list, it's removed by ICC due to some political reasons. Don't include gulf countries in any cricketing tournament, they will form a team of expats and that deprive deserving countries like Nepal and Malaysia. Netherland is good option they have played 1996 WC.

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[darewaller]

@JSRAW I don’t think ICC will ever try to take BCCI out of the equation, because they very well know that BCCI can start their own tournaments and completely bury ICC revenues.

Lastly out of curiosity say ICC were to make it a 24 team T20 World Cup then which teams would be added? because I know only few teams, and even then I can’t reach the 24 teams count needed for your idea to be implemented.

If 24 teams are not possible then add as many as possible. Try to add atleast one or two team from every continent like FIFA do. I remember Ricky Ponting once opposed addition of associate teams in WC, Ponting says fewer teams is better for World Cup. It's clear that  big boards don't want more countries to join in.

Right now going with 24 teams even into T20 league is not possible for ICC because we have no quality teams around the globe for this like many other Associations have like FIFA, FIH and FIBA. We are currently lacking of infrastructure and many other things in many countries but with the few near formats hopefully in near future we will be able to have some better results. Recently we have some good attraction in short formats even now Olympics is also in sight of ICC for more exposure of this game which is very good.

Currently, I want ICC considers with 16 teams into Twenty/20, 12 teams into ODI and just 8 in into WTC with others on table but not for points because of very low quality.

[mm2543363580]

Right now going with 24 teams even into T20 league is not possible for ICC because we have no quality teams around the globe for this like many other Associations have like FIFA, FIH and FIBA. We are currently lacking of infrastructure and many other things in many countries but with the few near formats hopefully in near future we will be able to have some better results. Recently we have some good attraction in short formats even now Olympics is also in sight of ICC for more exposure of this game which is very good.

Currently, I want ICC considers with 16 teams into Twenty/20, 12 teams into ODI and just 8 in into WTC with others on table but not for points because of very low quality.

There is an interesting move by ICC for inclusion of cricket in Olympics, ICC to make $3 million bid for cricket's inclusion in 2028 Olympics. We may see interest of more countries in cricket if it make its way to Olympics.
16 teams in T20 WC is also a big challenge, if ICC can include 3 or 4 more associate teams in next T20 WC that have good level it will be a big success.

[doomloop]

We already have 10 usual suspects (Ind +Eng+Pak+Ban +Sa+Afg + Aus +Nz + WI +SL ). As of now few names comes into my mind such as Ireland + Zimbabwe +UAE + Singapore + Nepal +  Netherlands + Oman + Namibia + Qatar + Papua New Guinea then add few more teams so i think its not a impossible task to create new set up if ICC gets their act together and willing to do some meaningful change.

Zimbabwe was already in usual suspect list, it's removed by ICC due to some political reasons. Don't include gulf countries in any cricketing tournament, they will form a team of expats and that deprive deserving countries like Nepal and Malaysia. Netherland is good option they have played 1996 WC.

Right now we need countries like Zimbabwe and Kenya because they have some better things and many local players those are interested instead of having teams from Gulf because here it's very difficult for ICC to have local youth power it's need very long time same happening in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Teams with local players can do much better instead of having mostly players from other countries Scotland and Netherlands are also better options in current situation but sadly now Gulf is having some strong impact on ICC, so it's not easy to do things like this which promote this game from grassroots. Recently with the approach of South African Authorities now they are also in trouble because quality is going down very badly.

[Sithara007]

The idea of 24-team T20 world cup is good. But it will be of no use, if the 12 associate nations end up importing mercenary players from India and Pakistan (similar to what Oman did this time). Associate cricket is turning out to be a joke. More than half of the ICC member nations have teams comprised 100% from foreigners. Teams like UAE, Oman, Hong Kong, European nations.etc doesn't even have a single citizen representing them. And cricket is dying in countries which used to rely on native players. I can give dozens of examples - Kenya, Netherlands, Nepal, Iran, Argentina, Israel.etc.

There can be no better example than Kenya. This is a team that managed to reach the semi-finals of the 2003 ODI World Cup. But they received no support from the ICC and cricket died out completely in less than a decade.

[lixer]

There is an interesting move by ICC for inclusion of cricket in Olympics, ICC to make $3 million bid for cricket's inclusion in 2028 Olympics. We may see interest of more countries in cricket if it make its way to Olympics.
16 teams in T20 WC is also a big challenge, if ICC can include 3 or 4 more associate teams in next T20 WC that have good level it will be a big success.

ICC never been ideal Authority even now doing good for cricket into Olympics because they need some better planning and development from grassroots in many countries those are very good for cricket and can bring some very skills and quality players in future.

But, sadly they never use funds in this way, so we are losing many good countries in bad way like Kenya is the worst example for this, and now they have some good support for countries from where we never have any player like the UAE, Oman and Kuwait these are dead countries for quality and skill players, but sadly they are not understanding and still doing things which are never been favorable for game and fans.

[pakhitheboss]

The idea of 24-team T20 world cup is good. But it will be of no use, if the 12 associate nations end up importing mercenary players from India and Pakistan (similar to what Oman did this time). Associate cricket is turning out to be a joke. More than half of the ICC member nations have teams comprised 100% from foreigners. Teams like UAE, Oman, Hong Kong, European nations.etc doesn't even have a single citizen representing them. And cricket is dying in countries which used to rely on native players. I can give dozens of examples - Kenya, Netherlands, Nepal, Iran, Argentina, Israel.etc.

There can be no better example than Kenya. This is a team that managed to reach the semi-finals of the 2003 ODI World Cup. But they received no support from the ICC and cricket died out completely in less than a decade.

They will import players if they want to participate and not look that bad in an international tournament. These countries still have ample amount of time in their hand to find talent and players within, they do have resources and money to do that but, they will still need to import players.

[Sithara007]

They will import players if they want to participate and not look that bad in an international tournament. These countries still have ample amount of time in their hand to find talent and players within, they do have resources and money to do that but, they will still need to import players.

The difference here is that other sports doesn't allow foreigners to be included in "national" teams. The logic is very simple. National teams are for "nationals" (i.e citizens). And here we have European and Gulf teams importing players from India and Pakistan on tourist visa and then building their playing XIs entirely from them. It is high time that the ICC should change the eligibility criteria. They should make it mandatory to have at least 6-7 citizens in the playing XI. The current setup is entirely unacceptable.

If only native players are allowed, the T20 world cup with 24 teams would looks like this (6 teams in 4 groups):

Group A: India, West Indies, South Africa, Scotland, Namibia, Italy
Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands, Nepal, Kenya
Group C: England, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Denmark, Jersey, United States
Group D: New Zealand, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, PNG, Uganda, Malaysia

^^^ Compiled from the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings, after excluding teams comprised entirely of mercenaries.

[mm2543363580]

ICC never been ideal Authority even now doing good for cricket into Olympics because they need some better planning and development from grassroots in many countries those are very good for cricket and can bring some very skills and quality players in future.

But, sadly they never use funds in this way, so we are losing many good countries in bad way like Kenya is the worst example for this, and now they have some good support for countries from where we never have any player like the UAE, Oman and Kuwait these are dead countries for quality and skill players, but sadly they are not understanding and still doing things which are never been favorable for game and fans.

You are so right, Kenya was WC semi finalist in 2003 and they are no where to be seen in last decade. Same is going on with Zim and very soon we will lose a test playing team. Gulf countries just make fun of cricket by making a national team that has all players imported from south Asia. ICC has no objection, since they are gambling hub.

[og kush420]

The difference here is that other sports doesn't allow foreigners to be included in "national" teams. The logic is very simple. National teams are for "nationals" (i.e citizens). And here we have European and Gulf teams importing players from India and Pakistan on tourist visa and then building their playing XIs entirely from them. It is high time that the ICC should change the eligibility criteria. They should make it mandatory to have at least 6-7 citizens in the playing XI. The current setup is entirely unacceptable.

If only native players are allowed, the T20 world cup with 24 teams would looks like this (6 teams in 4 groups):

Group A: India, West Indies, South Africa, Scotland, Namibia, Italy
Group B: Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands, Nepal, Kenya
Group C: England, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Denmark, Jersey, United States
Group D: New Zealand, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, PNG, Uganda, Malaysia

^^^ Compiled from the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings, after excluding teams comprised entirely of mercenaries.

Oman, UAE and Kuwait cant do this in Football because the governing body is too strong there. They can do such manipulation in cricket only. I would say team of Italy, USA, Denmark, Jersey are not at the level of competing test playing teams. There inclusion will only mean points in the favor of opponent and nobody will watch these games.

[Sithara007]

Oman, UAE and Kuwait cant do this in Football because the governing body is too strong there. They can do such manipulation in cricket only. I would say team of Italy, USA, Denmark, Jersey are not at the level of competing test playing teams. There inclusion will only mean points in the favor of opponent and nobody will watch these games.

It is a difficult choice. All the major sports are expanding their global events. The FIFA has decided to increase the number of teams participating in the world cup to 48 (from the current 32), from 2026 onwards. Obviously there will be a large number of one-sided matches in 2026. But the governing body needs to make a difficult choice between maintaining the quality and popularizing the sport. The current format of having 10 teams for the ODI world cup is definitely not sustainable. You can't call a 10-team event as "world" cup.

[Swordsoffreedom]

There is an interesting move by ICC for inclusion of cricket in Olympics, ICC to make $3 million bid for cricket's inclusion in 2028 Olympics. We may see interest of more countries in cricket if it make its way to Olympics.
16 teams in T20 WC is also a big challenge, if ICC can include 3 or 4 more associate teams in next T20 WC that have good level it will be a big success.

ICC never been ideal Authority even now doing good for cricket into Olympics because they need some better planning and development from grassroots in many countries those are very good for cricket and can bring some very skills and quality players in future.

But, sadly they never use funds in this way, so we are losing many good countries in bad way like Kenya is the worst example for this, and now they have some good support for countries from where we never have any player like the UAE, Oman and Kuwait these are dead countries for quality and skill players, but sadly they are not understanding and still doing things which are never been favorable for game and fans.

I think that ICC still has time to recover from what has been done in the past. If ICC wants to include cricket in the '28 Olympics, they need to start working on getting at least 3 or 4 more teams to regular cricket. Although recently teams like Oman and UAE are playing enough cricket and there are some quality players, some more countries need to be included in there.

ICC has taken some missteps in the past but maybe including cricket in the Olympics could be good for the future of cricket in my opinion.

[savetheFORUM]

I think that ICC still has time to recover from what has been done in the past. If ICC wants to include cricket in the '28 Olympics, they need to start working on getting at least 3 or 4 more teams to regular cricket. Although recently teams like Oman and UAE are playing enough cricket and there are some quality players, some more countries need to be included in there.

ICC has taken some missteps in the past but maybe including cricket in the Olympics could be good for the future of cricket in my opinion.

They need to implement these new rules very quickly and without wasting any time because it's very important for them otherwise this is going to be worst for ICC and cricket we already have the good number of cricket playing nations in Associate class, and they can do some better in near future in short format which can bring more revenue and fans community but with teams like these UAE, Oman and Kuwait its never been good idea.
 
If they want to go into ICC then it must case for them otherwise they will ignore this application which is not good at the moment now recently Gulf is having very good hold on ICC but still it's achievable because ICC is not for just big 3 threes or anyone community here we have nearly the biggest community is sports which want better and solid policies for better results.

[teosanru]

There is an interesting move by ICC for inclusion of cricket in Olympics, ICC to make $3 million bid for cricket's inclusion in 2028 Olympics. We may see interest of more countries in cricket if it make its way to Olympics.
16 teams in T20 WC is also a big challenge, if ICC can include 3 or 4 more associate teams in next T20 WC that have good level it will be a big success.

ICC never been ideal Authority even now doing good for cricket into Olympics because they need some better planning and development from grassroots in many countries those are very good for cricket and can bring some very skills and quality players in future.

But, sadly they never use funds in this way, so we are losing many good countries in bad way like Kenya is the worst example for this, and now they have some good support for countries from where we never have any player like the UAE, Oman and Kuwait these are dead countries for quality and skill players, but sadly they are not understanding and still doing things which are never been favorable for game and fans.

I think that ICC still has time to recover from what has been done in the past. If ICC wants to include cricket in the '28 Olympics, they need to start working on getting at least 3 or 4 more teams to regular cricket. Although recently teams like Oman and UAE are playing enough cricket and there are some quality players, some more countries need to be included in there.

ICC has taken some missteps in the past but maybe including cricket in the Olympics could be good for the future of cricket in my opinion.

I think if ICC wants Cricket to be in Olympics, it has to ensure cricket spreads across Europe or the Americas, currently, cricket-playing nations are too skewed, 85% of them are from Asia & the African continent, only a few from here and there. The problem with popularising any sport per se is the viewership, cricket is a commercial sport unlike most Olympic sport, which means you need a good viewership for cricket in a country to make it a cricketing nation, but the problem is most of the countries don't even understand cricket, how in the world then you can popularise cricket there? One way is player migrations and the second better approach is to hold local cricket events in these countries, just like the couple of matches that happened in the US in form of a veteran league.

[JSRAW]

~snip~
I think if ICC wants Cricket to be in Olympics, it has to ensure cricket spreads across Europe or the Americas, currently, cricket-playing nations are too skewed, 85% of them are from Asia & the African continent, only a few from here and there. The problem with popularising any sport per se is the viewership, cricket is a commercial sport unlike most Olympic sport, which means you need a good viewership for cricket in a country to make it a cricketing nation, but the problem is most of the countries don't even understand cricket, how in the world then you can popularise cricket there? One way is player migrations and the second better approach is to hold local cricket events in these countries, just like the couple of matches that happened in the US in form of a veteran league.

All they need to do is add more teams into t-20 icc tournaments but No, they won't! Because they don't want to repeat nightmares of 2007 WC and then they come up with 3 million bid in front of Olympic committee, which is modern term of bribe. No wonder Olympic committee doesn't take them seriously.

[pakhitheboss]

There is an interesting move by ICC for inclusion of cricket in Olympics, ICC to make $3 million bid for cricket's inclusion in 2028 Olympics. We may see interest of more countries in cricket if it make its way to Olympics.
16 teams in T20 WC is also a big challenge, if ICC can include 3 or 4 more associate teams in next T20 WC that have good level it will be a big success.

ICC never been ideal Authority even now doing good for cricket into Olympics because they need some better planning and development from grassroots in many countries those are very good for cricket and can bring some very skills and quality players in future.

But, sadly they never use funds in this way, so we are losing many good countries in bad way like Kenya is the worst example for this, and now they have some good support for countries from where we never have any player like the UAE, Oman and Kuwait these are dead countries for quality and skill players, but sadly they are not understanding and still doing things which are never been favorable for game and fans.

I think that ICC still has time to recover from what has been done in the past. If ICC wants to include cricket in the '28 Olympics, they need to start working on getting at least 3 or 4 more teams to regular cricket. Although recently teams like Oman and UAE are playing enough cricket and there are some quality players, some more countries need to be included in there.

ICC has taken some missteps in the past but maybe including cricket in the Olympics could be good for the future of cricket in my opinion.

I think if ICC wants Cricket to be in Olympics, it has to ensure cricket spreads across Europe or the Americas, currently, cricket-playing nations are too skewed, 85% of them are from Asia & the African continent, only a few from here and there. The problem with popularising any sport per se is the viewership, cricket is a commercial sport unlike most Olympic sport, which means you need a good viewership for cricket in a country to make it a cricketing nation, but the problem is most of the countries don't even understand cricket, how in the world then you can popularise cricket there? One way is player migrations and the second better approach is to hold local cricket events in these countries, just like the couple of matches that happened in the US in form of a veteran league.

I am sure European countries will be able to understand cricket as England and ICC can easily promote it in neighbouring countries. The problem will be basically promoting cricket in the American continent as they will try to find similarities with baseball. But, if ICC is able to promote cricket in the European subcontinent then it will become easy for ICC to spread cricket globally and especially in the American subcontinent.

[Sithara007]

I am sure European countries will be able to understand cricket as England and ICC can easily promote it in neighbouring countries. The problem will be basically promoting cricket in the American continent as they will try to find similarities with baseball. But, if ICC is able to promote cricket in the European subcontinent then it will become easy for ICC to spread cricket globally and especially in the American subcontinent.

In countries like Netherlands and Ireland, cricket has a history of more than two centuries. But in all the European countries except England, cricket is declining in popularity. The national cricket boards are doing all that they could, but the other sports (football, field hockey, basketball.etc) have taken up ambitious expansion strategies and these sports have managed to poach in to cricket sphere. In countries like Netherlands and Denmark, the vast majority of the players used to be native. But nowadays somewhere between 70% and 80% are South Asian.

[pakhitheboss]

I am sure European countries will be able to understand cricket as England and ICC can easily promote it in neighbouring countries. The problem will be basically promoting cricket in the American continent as they will try to find similarities with baseball. But, if ICC is able to promote cricket in the European subcontinent then it will become easy for ICC to spread cricket globally and especially in the American subcontinent.

In countries like Netherlands and Ireland, cricket has a history of more than two centuries. But in all the European countries except England, cricket is declining in popularity. The national cricket boards are doing all that they could, but the other sports (football, field hockey, basketball.etc) have taken up ambitious expansion strategies and these sports have managed to poach in to cricket sphere. In countries like Netherlands and Denmark, the vast majority of the players used to be native. But nowadays somewhere between 70% and 80% are South Asian.

This is a problem which could have been easily sorted out if ICC would have promoted cricket more aggressively in the European subcontinent. They should again start organizing more tournaments in these countries and there should be also a proper media coverage of those tournament. I think the best option would be to start a T20 tournament comprising of these nations.

[bryant.coleman]

This is a problem which could have been easily sorted out if ICC would have promoted cricket more aggressively in the European subcontinent. They should again start organizing more tournaments in these countries and there should be also a proper media coverage of those tournament. I think the best option would be to start a T20 tournament comprising of these nations.

The biggest obstacle for the growth of cricket outside test playing nations is the lack of inclusion in Olympics. Most of the countries provide funding only for Olympic sports. And that is the reason why sports such as baseball and rugby have spent so much money and effort in getting themselves included in the Olympic Games. And with every passing year, cricket is being branded as a sport that is exclusively being played by immigrants and foreigners. When some school going kid in Norway or Sweden watch the matches of their "national" cricket team and finds out that there is not a single native player in the XI, will he be keen to play this sport?

[og kush420]

It is a difficult choice. All the major sports are expanding their global events. The FIFA has decided to increase the number of teams participating in the world cup to 48 (from the current 32), from 2026 onwards. Obviously there will be a large number of one-sided matches in 2026. But the governing body needs to make a difficult choice between maintaining the quality and popularizing the sport. The current format of having 10 teams for the ODI world cup is definitely not sustainable. You can't call a 10-team event as "world" cup.

The case of FIFA is different then ICC. There are countries from every continent in FIFA WC and they play qualifying round before making it to finals. So we have top level teams from Asia, EU, North and south America. There is hardly any quality cricket team outside these Test playing countries.