The UAE’s World Twenty20 performances are promising signs for next year’s 50-over World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand, according to the ICC.
The UAE may not have won a game in the World Twenty20 but they certainly gave a respectable account of themselves. The same can also be said about the other five ICC associate member countries- Ireland, Afghanistan, Nepal, Hong Kong and the Netherlands.
These teams took part in Bangladesh, as part of the governing body's efforts to expand cricket beyond the 10 Test-playing countries.
The Netherlands enjoyed an outstanding tournament, cappeb by their humiliation of England by 45 runs in the Super-10 stage. Meanwhile, unfancied Hong Kong fulfilled their dream of getting a big scalp with a two-wicket victory over Test team and host-nation Bangladesh in the first round qualifying stage.
ICC’s Development Manager Tim Anderson said the Netherlands' victory over England, their second in two meetings after also beating them in the 2009 World Twenty20, was a good sign for next year's 50-over World Cup which will feature UAE, Ireland, Afghanistan and Scotland
"The associates were provided with an opportunity at the World Twenty20 and we are pleased with their showing, and will make sure they do well in next year's World Cup," said Anderson. "The Netherlands performed very well and their win over England in the Super-10 stage showed the smaller teams have the talent to upset bigger nations."
Each team has been allocated $1 million in funding and will train in the host countries ahead of the tournament.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be the UAE’s second World Cup tournament. Their last participation was back in 1996 were they played five matches and managed to win once against Netherlands by seven wickets.
