2009 ICC World Cup Qualifying Tournament

[al Furqaan]

let this be the official thread. i for one am rooting for afghanistan and any other team with NATIVE talent. sad to see kenyan cricket slip the way they have since the 2003 tourney, and if they play well i support them as well.

i hope the afghans earn a top 6 finish which gets them ODI status for the next 4 years, and a top 4 finish puts them into the Big Dance. should they get ODI status, i think the BCB, PCB, and SLC are obligated to help them develop for the following reasons: 1) they actually have their own players unlike hong kong or the UAE 2) afghans have natural athletic ability, more so than any other south asian nationality 3) they have been developing at a very fast rate 4) potentially strengthens the "asian bloc" 5) cricket is actually fairly popular in the country

my gut says the top 6 teams will be:

1) kenya
2) ireland
3) scotland
4) namibia (really hope its afghanistan though)
5) holland
6) afghanistan (but canada or bermuda could easily get it too)

[Rifat]

i have a lot of Afghan friends and GO AFGHANISTAN

agree with every single point al-furqaan, definitely will not only help Asia but also the development of cricket and the Country of Afghanistan as well....


hmmm..this gives me an interesting thought: lest Cricket dies from Pakistan: Afghanistan==new Pakistan?? idk...

[Yameen]

Come on scotland!!!

[Nadim]

i doubt about kenya. they lost to some s* team recently and they havent perfomed for quite long now

[Zeeshan]

going for Ireland...lucky leaf charm to all of them.

[Abid_Khan]

I wanna see Afghanistan play, sum1 should upload a video on youtube if they have anything on Afghanistani Cricket

[sbsash]

I think the top 6 will be...
1.Ireland
2.Scotland
3.Canada
4.Namibia
5.Afganistan
6.Kenya

[Shehwar]

Go Great Britain!!! Hope both Scotland and Ireland qualify....

[al Furqaan]

looks like afghans were caught trying to cheat, lol...

they had a 32 year old batsman withdrawn. the guy was born in peshawar, and playd 117 first class matches with a 28+ avg and double ton to his name. he'd easily be the best batsman in the tournament and would really have strengthened the AFG's chances, but his eligbilty to play for afghanistan was questioned by the ICC.

[BANFAN]

Cricket isn't at all popular in Afghanistan. The people who took refuge in Pak during the war was exposed to the game in Pak, as most of the Paki children tend to play crciket, they had very little option but to play with them and learn. That's helping them now. But mostly they are interested in sports that's more popular in Iran & Tajik or Uzbek.

Body building is extremely popula and you can find gyms every after 100 m in kabul city and it's there even in smaller cities around the country. Wrestling is very very popular as well. 'Buzkashi' is their national game from Uzbek origin. Football is fairly played by the children. You don't see them playing cricket in Afg, very rarely these days you might find some boys trying in the fields.

British military and Pak is supporting their cricket a lot. They are yet to have a cricket pitch in Afghanistan.

[al Furqaan]

Originally Posted by BANFAN
Cricket isn't at all popular in Afghanistan. The people who took refuge in Pak during the war was exposed to the game in Pak, as most of the Paki children tend to play crciket, they had very little option but to play with them and learn. That's helping them now. But mostly they are interested in sports that's more popular in Iran & Tajik or Uzbek.

Body building is extremely popula and you can find gyms every after 100 m in kabul city and it's there even in smaller cities around the country. Wrestling is very very popular as well. 'Buzkashi' is their national game from Uzbek origin. Football is fairly played by the children. You don't see them playing cricket in Afg, very rarely these days you might find some boys trying in the fields.

British military and Pak is supporting their cricket a lot. They are yet to have a cricket pitch in Afghanistan.

there were several million afghan refugees in pakistan. as oppossed to afghanistan's actual population of 30 million, the cricket fans are still in higher proportion to country's population than say places like south africa or new zealand. afghans, be they pashtu or tajik are no less athletic than south africans or new zealanders. i mean if bangladesh can make it (and we have *made* it) being as unathletic as we generally are (even more so than pakis and indians - who are pretty unathletic themselves), then the afghans have a great chance to become the number #1 associate side in 10 years time - they're still an affiliate member, which will prolly change with this WCQ tournament. plus, cricket doesn't even really require athleticism. on that skill front, it will take afghans a long while as they have no skill advantage over us (in fact, due to time and population/popularity they have a disadvantage to us). but whilst athleticsim isn't required in cricket, it certainly helps, and can carry you a surprising way. the afghans have proved by coming this far from Division 5.

[BANFAN]

Originally Posted by al Furqaan
there were several million afghan refugees in pakistan. as oppossed to afghanistan's actual population of 30 million, the cricket fans are still in higher proportion to country's population than say places like south africa or new zealand. afghans, be they pashtu or tajik are no less athletic than south africans or new zealanders. i mean if bangladesh can make it (and we have *made* it) being as unathletic as we generally are (even more so than pakis and indians - who are pretty unathletic themselves), then the afghans have a great chance to become the number #1 associate side in 10 years time - they're still an affiliate member, which will prolly change with this WCQ tournament. plus, cricket doesn't even really require athleticism. on that skill front, it will take afghans a long while as they have no skill advantage over us (in fact, due to time and population/popularity they have a disadvantage to us). but whilst athleticsim isn't required in cricket, it certainly helps, and can carry you a surprising way. the afghans have proved by coming this far from Division 5.

You are absolutely right with their Physical advantage.

The refugees who stayed in the camps didn't really get a chance to play but a little well off people who were renting houses in peshawar or bought houses had a chance. Unlike Afg refugees in Iran and elsewhere the Afghan refugees weren't allowed to study in regular pak schools & didn't have much freedom of movements, that made it difficult for the refugees to get into the game in lage numbers. But definitely they have grown some understanding & love for the game. More over they are desperate for some international successes as a nation with so much of negatives ,attached to their names, fairly or unfairly. I have seen guys even don't understand the game but was following the Afghan team throughout the qualifying rounds on internet.

Given their physical avantage and passion for success at the international level in anything, they are going to be a very strong contender for making it to the world cup. You are absolutely right about that.

[Purbasha T]

Go Afghanistan!

[Nocturnal]

CI Link

The ICC World Cup Qualifiers 2009 will be contested by 12 teams which have been seeded and divided into two groups:

Group A	Group B
Ireland	Kenya
Scotland	Netherlands
Canada	Bermuda
Oman	U.A.E.
Namibia	Denmark
Uganda	Afghanistan

Each team will play every other team in its group. Points will be allocated for each match in accordance with the system described in clause 21.9 of these playing conditions, which will apply throughout the competition.
21.8.2 Super Eight Stage
Following the Group stage the top 4 teams in each group on points will progress to the next phase (the Super Eight stage). Each team will play every other team that has qualified for the Super Eight stage except for the teams that it played in the Group stage. The results of these matches and any points gained will be carried forward to the Super Eight stage. No other points from the Group stage will be carried forward to the Super Eight stage.
21.8.3 9th – 12th Semi Finals (matches scheduled for Saturday 11th April) and Playoff Finals (matches scheduled for Monday 13th April)
At the end of the Group stage the following matches will take place for those teams not qualifying for the Super Eight stage:

• The teams that finish 5th in Group A and 6th in Group B will participate in the 9th – 12th Semi Final 1.
• The teams that finish 6th in Group A and 5th in Group B will participate in the 9th – 12th Semi Final 2.
• The winner of the 9th - 12th Semi Final 1 will play the winner of the 9th – 12th Semi Final 2 in the 9th/10th Playoff Final.
• The loser of the 9th -12th Semi Final 1 will play the loser of the 9th – 12th Semi Final 2 in the 11th/12th Playoff Final.

21.8.4 1st – 8th Playoff Finals (matches scheduled for Sunday 19th April)
At the end of the Super Eight stage the following matches will take place:

• The top two teams will contest the ICC World Cup Qualifier 2009 Final (1st/2nd Playoff Final).
• The teams that finish 3rd and 4th in the Super Eight stage will participate in the 3rd/4th playoff match.
• The teams that finish 5th and 6th in the Super Eight stage will participate in the 5th/6th playoff match.
• The teams that finish 7th and 8th in the Super Eight stage will participate in the 7th/8th playoff match.

21.9 Points The following point system will apply:
Win 2
Tie or No result 1
Loss 0

21.9.1 Group Stage
In the event of teams finishing on equal points, the order of finishing will be decided in the following order of priority:

• The team with the most number of wins in the group matches will be placed in the higher position.
• If there are teams with equal points and equal wins in the group matches, then in such case the team with the higher net run rate in the group matches will be placed in the higher position (refer to 21.9.6 below for the calculation of net run rate).
• If still equal, the team which was the winner of the head to head match played between them will be placed in the higher position.
• If there are teams which are still equal, then the team with the higher number of wickets taken per balls bowled in the group matches in which results were achieved will be placed in the higher position.
• In the highly unlikely event that teams cannot be separated by the above this will be done by drawing lots.
• If all matches within a Group are abandoned, the top 4 seeded teams in each group will progress to the Super Eight stage.

21.9.2 Super Eight Stage
In the event of teams finishing on equal points at the end of the Super Eight stage, the order of finishing will be decided in the following order of priority:

• The most wins in all of the matches throughout the competition against the other Super Eight stage qualifiers will be placed in the higher position.
• If there are teams with equal points and equal wins in the Super Eight stage then in such case the team with the higher net run rate in all matches played against the other Super Eight qualifiers (in both the Group stage and Super Eight stage) will be placed in the higher position (refer to 21.9.6 below for the calculation of net run rate).
• If still equal, the team which was the winner of the head to head match played between them will be placed in the higher position.
• If there are teams which are still equal, then the team with the higher number of wickets taken per balls bowled in the Super Eight stage in which results were achieved will be placed in the higher position.
• In the highly unlikely event that teams cannot be separated by the above this will be done by drawing lots.
• If all of the matches in the Super Eight stage are abandoned, the order of finishing will be determined by the team's performances in the Group stage as follows: Group standing, most points, most wins. Any teams that cannot be separated in this way shall be according to their original seeding for the tournament.

21.9.3 9th – 12th Semi Finals (matches scheduled for Saturday 11th April) In the event of a tie or a no result, the following shall apply:
1. The teams shall compete in a one over eliminator to determine which teams proceed to the 9th/10th and 11th/12th Playoff Finals. Refer attached Appendix 7.

2. If weather conditions prevent the one over eliminator from being completed or if the scores are still equal at its conclusion the result will be a tie and the 5th ranked team in the Group stage plays in the 9th/10th Playoff Final and the 6th ranked team in the Group stage plays in the 11th/12th Playoff Final.

21.9.4 Playoff Finals – Final Tournament Standing (matches scheduled for Monday 13th April and Sunday 19th April) In the event of a tie or a no result, the following shall apply:

1. Tied match:

The teams shall compete in a one over eliminator to determine which team is the winner. Refer attached Appendix 7. If weather conditions prevent the one over eliminator from being completed or if the scores are still equal at its conclusion the following shall occur:

a. 1st/2nd, 3rd/4th, 5th/6th & 7th/8th Playoff Finals (matches scheduled for Sunday 19th April)
The result will be a tie and each team's final tournament standing will be determined by the position that they finished in the Super Eight stage.

b. 9th/10th & 11th/12th Playoff Final (matches scheduled for Monday 13th April)
The result will be a tie and each team's final tournament standing will be determined by the its relative performances in the Group stage as follows: Group standing, most points, most wins. If the two teams still cannot be separated by using this method then their final tournament standing shall be according to their original seeding for the tournament.

2. No Result:

a. 1st/2nd, 3rd/4th, 5th/6th & 7th/8th Playoff Final (matches scheduled for Sunday 19th April)
In the event of a no result each team's final tournament standing will be determined by the position they finished in the Super Eight stage.

b. 9th/10th & 11th/12th Playoff Final (matches scheduled for Monday 13th April)
In the event of a no result each team's final tournament standing will be determined by its performances in the Group stage as provided for in a tied match above.
21.9.5 Final – Tournament Winner
In the event of a tied Final or if there is no result, the tournament winner shall be determined in accordance with 21.9.4.

21.9.6 Net Run Rate
A team's net run rate is calculated by deducting from the average runs per over scored by that team throughout the competition, the average runs per over scored against that team throughout the competition. In the event of a team being all out in less than its full quota of overs, the calculation of its net run rate shall be based on the full quota of overs to which it would have been entitled and not on the number of overs in which the team was dismissed.

Only those matches where results are achieved will count for the purpose of net run rate calculations. Where a match is abandoned, but a result is achieved under Duckworth/Lewis, for net run rate purposes Team 1 will be accredited with Team 2's Par Score on abandonment off the same number of overs faced by Team 2. Where a match is concluded but with Duckworth/Lewis having been applied at an earlier point in the match, Team 1 will be accredited with 1 run less than the final Target Score for Team 2 off the total number of overs allocated to Team 2 to reach the target.

[Nocturnal]

O Canada!!
Go Canada!!

[Shehwar]

LATEST SCORES:

Wow Ireland absolutely hammering Scotland:
Scotland 232/7 (50 ov)
Ireland 195/2 (31.0 ov)

Kenya-Dutch nicely poised:
Kenya 247/8 (50 ov)
Netherlands 132/3 (27.5 ov)

Denmark might pull this one off! Too bad for Afghan fans:
Denmark 204/9 (50 ov)
Afghanistan 60/3 (17.0 ov)

UAE on course to beat Bermuda:
Bermuda 187 (46.3 ov)
United Arab Emirates 103/2 (27.0 ov)

Canada making light work of Oman:
Canada 247 (49.3 ov)
Oman 53/7 (18.0 ov)

Uganda-Namibia might turn out to be a thriller:
Uganda 234/7 (50 ov)
Namibia 164/5 (41.0 ov)


Source: Cricinfo

[Xavier]

Check live scores on Cricket Europe site:
http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CWCQ2009/index.shtml

Afghanistan have won, while Uganda surprisingly beat Namibia.
Ireland beat Scotland and Netherlands are close to win on Kenya.

[Shehwar]

Kenya got hammered!

[Tigers_eye]

Afgans won against Denmark. from six teams four teams from each group move on in super eight.

Group A

Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	N/R	Pts	Net RR	For	Against
Canada	1	1	0	0	0	2	+2.060	247/50.0	144/50.0
Ireland	1	1	0	0	0	2	+1.546	233/37.4	232/50.0
Uganda	1	1	0	0	0	2	+0.120	234/50.0	228/50.0
Namibia	1	0	1	0	0	0	-0.120	228/50.0	234/50.0
Scotland	1	0	1	0	0	0	-1.546	232/50.0	233/37.4
Oman	1	0	1	0	0	0	-2.060	144/50.0	247/50.0

Group B

Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	N/R	Pts	Net RR	For	Against
Netherlands	1	1	0	0	0	2	+0.413	248/46.2	247/50.0
Afghanistan	1	1	0	0	0	2	+0.344	205/46.2	204/50.0
U.A.E.	1	1	0	0	0	2	+0.288	190/47.1	187/50.0
Bermuda	1	0	1	0	0	0	-0.288	187/50.0	190/47.1
Denmark	1	0	1	0	0	0	-0.344	204/50.0	205/46.2
Kenya	1	0	1	0	0	0	-0.413	247/50.0	248/46.2

[Purbasha T]

Ooooooh YES, afghanistan!

[al Furqaan]

afghans pulled it off, good fightback and display of character.

kenyans basically are in free fall, its anyone's guess who they'll manage to lose to next.

uganda is my new favorite...young team which would make our team seem old, and best of all: 100% native ugandans in the team!!!

i am now rooting for afghanistan and uganda. and of course it seems the irish will run away with the title. kenya may not even qualify.

additionally, the afghans are in the easy group. they should easily make the super 8s, and should even get ODI status. but getting into the top 4 will require a lot of work/luck.

[Zeeshan]

Originally Posted by al Furqaan
i am now rooting for afghanistan and uganda.

you mean India and Pakistan? considering most of the teams are stuffed with bushels of sub-continent players...

[al Furqaan]

Originally Posted by Gopal Bhar
you mean India and Pakistan? considering most of the teams are stuffed with bushels of sub-continent players...

ugandan's are all 100% native. and they are young. if they don't make the WC - which is highly likely, i hope they get ODI status and futher develop so they can make the WC in 2015.

canada has davison - who's an aussie at least by blood.
namibia is full of white players, they don't even have a single "native".
a lot of the other teams have saffer/aussie expats in addition to the indo-pak expats on nearly every team.

[nzfan]

Denmark too surprisingly is full of native danish players, wouldn't of thought that

[al Furqaan]

Originally Posted by nzfan
Denmark too surprisingly is full of native danish players, wouldn't of thought that

yeah, which means id root for them as well, but i'm still upset about the cartoon issue.

i think the dutch team is also "native". which is interesting. so the native teams in this tournament are:

kenya
ireland
scotland
uganda
denmark
afghanistan
holland
bermuda

wow, 8 of the 12 teams are composed mostly or purely of native talent. thats impressive. i'm glad these teams got here instead of the expat teams like hong kong etc.