World Cricket League: Division 3

al Furqaan · #1 January 29, 2009, 10:14 AM

Afghanistan after losing the opener, are now atop the points table.

Should they win their 3rd straight WCL championship (won Divisions 5 and 4 already), they will be in the World Cup Qualifying tournament (the new ICC Trophy).

I would really like to see them playing in the next World Cup. The only sad thing is that Nepal lost in Division 5 or 4. South Asia needs some more representation.

The top teams who are fighting for the last 4 spots in the 2011 WC are:

Ireland
Scotland
Kenya
Canada
Bermuda
Holland
Hong Kong
Uganda
Papua New Guniea

Realistically, the Afghans are probably stronger than all of those teams except Ireland, Scotland, Kenya, and Canada. Holland too might be added on that list. But a few good days could see the Afghans in the top 4, and then they'd be in the World Cup.

al Furqaan · #2 January 29, 2009, 10:32 AM

actually the afghans just need to finish in the top 2 to qualify for the WC qualifiers.

Tigers_eye · #3 January 29, 2009, 11:58 AM

Where does USA stand?

al Furqaan · #4 January 29, 2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigers_eye
Where does USA stand?

still in Division 5 they finished 3rd in the D5 tourney, IIRC. they were favored to play afghanistan in the finals but lost to Jersey (not new jersey) in the semis and got knocked out. and since this year there will be 4 new divisions, 6-9, US might get relegated further down.

zainab · #5 January 30, 2009, 01:13 PM

I wonder? Is'nt the UAE part of this tournament? Are'nt they fighting for a spot? they are a much better team than some of the teams mentioned above.

Xavier · #6 January 30, 2009, 03:14 PM

You can follow live commentary of Afghanistan v Cayman match here:
http://www.cricketeurope4.net/LIVE/7/commentary.shtml

Match was reduced due to rain. Afghanistan closed their innings on 68/5 in 31 overs, Cayman target is 63 runs on 20 overs.
Afghanistan need a win to reach World Cup qualifiers.

Here is explanation for World Cricket League system:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_cricket_league

Xavier · #7 January 30, 2009, 04:08 PM

The match has been abandoned with Cayman on 35/2 after 7 overs, and it will be played again tomorrow.

ausbangfan · #8 January 30, 2009, 06:46 PM

all the teams that are playing in the WCQ are-
Ireland
Kenya
Scotland
Netherlands
Bermuda
Canada
Namibia
UAE
Denmark
Oman
Afghanistan
Uganda

the groups are

A- Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Oman, Namibia and Uganda
B- Kenya, Netherlands, Bermuda, UAE, Denmark, Afghanistan

The top 4 qualify for the 2011 WC
The top 6 receive ODI Status until the 2013 WCQ
The top 8 will play in the ICC Intercontinental Cup until the 2013 WCQ
The top 10 will be a included in the 'High Performance Program' (HPP) until the 2013 WCQ

I reckon Ireland, Kenya, Scotland and Namibia will qualify for the World Cup

Ireland because they have improved immensely over the last few years and have been beating the other associates on a regular basis.
Kenya, even though they are being smashed by Zimbabwe at the moment and are in a rough patch, they have got talented players and if they pull through Kenya should qualify
Scotland because they are one of the top associates and have now started to professionally contract players.
Namibia, well they are way better than the likes of Bermuda, Canada, UAE and Oman and they have been performing well in the SA Provincial Competition.

All associate countries will get a huge boost of extra funding especially the top 6

ausbangfan · #9 January 31, 2009, 08:03 PM

Afghanistan wins the tournament and Uganda sneak into 2nd place and they both qualify for the 2009 WCQ.

al Furqaan · #10 January 31, 2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zainab
I wonder? Is'nt the UAE part of this tournament? Are'nt they fighting for a spot? they are a much better team than some of the teams mentioned above.

UAE is already in the WC 2009 qualifying tournament, they are in WCL division 2 since they are better than these teams here.

IMO, afghanistan are a shoo in to finish in the top 8 of WCQ, which earns them a berth in the intercontinental cup - will be interesting to see if they have any mettle for longer version cricket. they might even sneak into the top 6 and get ODI status for 4 years. if so, pakistan, SL and BD should give them tours every year for development.

but i think it will be tough for them to get into the WC proper as they have to finish in the top 4. ireland and scotland will be invincible, and kenya seems like anyone could beat them on a good day, but even holland/canada/bermuda might be too strong for the AFG.

it would be great to have another south asian ODI status team tho.

nzfan · #11 January 31, 2009, 09:55 PM

Its just amazing Afghanistan has managed to get where they are, they should plan on trying to occupy their current position for a few years, build up a player base etc

al Furqaan · #12 January 31, 2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nzfan
Its just amazing Afghanistan has managed to get where they are, they should plan on trying to occupy their current position for a few years, build up a player base etc

well, their freakishly athletic. so its not that surprising. although cricket is one sport which doesn't require much athleticism.

all the best athletes at our local islamic community (asides from the african americans) are afghans, be the pashtu or tajik. straight up ballers. actually they're prolly even more athletic than the african-americans...