Questionable T20 format
Hosts Bangladesh are not automatic qualifier in the World T-20 Cricket Championship beginning on next Saturday in Dhaka. The hosts with seven other nations divided into two groups of four will play on single league basis in the qualifying round of the Championship. Two group champions will cruise into the final round of 10.
Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal and Hong Kong of China have been penciled in Group ‘A’ while Ireland, Holland, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe are slated in Group ‘B’. Bangladesh team’s main challenge is Afghanistan and I don’t think that Hong Kong will cause an upset despite winning the warm up match against Zimbabwe. In any case, if Bangladesh suffer defeat a single match, it will then wait for a miracle. Sixteen years ago, Bangladesh as the non-playing nation hosted the first edition of ICC Cricket Championship, eventually won by South Africa.
Traditionally hosts in any tournament of any discipline are automatic qualifier. They are not required to take part in the qualifying round. An investigation into the format of the World Cup Football 2014 will reveal that hosts Brazil are automatic qualifier. Awkwardly, defending champions Spain took part in the qualifying round and narrowly survived elimination. We think the International Cricket Council will re-examine the queer format after the tournament for a reform.
The eight nations already qualified are Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and West Indies from five continents. We wish the success of the tournament and of the Bangladesh cricket team. We also congratulate the government for extending all kinds of cooperation to the Bangladesh cricket Board with an advice to avoid excess expenditure.
Ameer Hamzah
Dhaka
