Months ago, when the T20 World Cup qualifiers were in full flow I surprised myself by how involved I became. I didn't see anything on TV but the results somehow seemed more significant than those of the Tests being played at the same time. Not because I was suddenly a keen student of Papua New Guinean or Canadian cricket but because the outcome would have a potential huge impact on the global game.
The ICC and its major members had little interest in seeing representatives of cricket's outposts mixing it with the big boys but last week's qualifying groups at the tournament proper produced some fabulous entertainment and some genuine surprises. In the final two fixtures of Group A, tiny Nepal shocked Afghanistan and came close to knocking out Bangladesh when Hong Kong's dramatic two-wicket victory over the hosts left Shakib's side with the same nuber of points but a marginally superior net run rate.
In Group B, seeded Zimbabwe were knocked out at the first hurdle but only after an enthralling group climax. On Friday at the Sylhet Stadium, Ireland went into their match against the Netherlands needing a win to qualify. The Dutch required a victory by a substantial margin whereas a relatively narrow triumph would leave Zimbabwe the qualifiers. When Andrew Poynter and Kevin O'Brien advanced their total to 189-4, it meant that Peter Borren's team's target was 190 in a paltry 86 balls. That they achieved it with a few balls to spare, against bowlers of the quality of Tim Murtagh and George Dockrell, was even more remarkable. Stephan Myburgh thrashed a world record equalling half-century then Tom Cooper almost eclipsed that before being dismissed on 45 in a mere 15 balls. The match contained an amazing 30 sixes.
And so the Super Tens (why not just call it the Second Round?!) began with the likes of Gayle, Dhoni, Finch, McCullum et al having to live up to the standards provided by so-called lesser players for lesser cricketing countries. So far, Umar Akmal, Glenn Maxwell, Virat Kohli and others have indeed produced some batting performances up there with the very best. With the ball, Umar Gul, Imran Tahir, Ravi Jadeja and Amit Mishra have looked very useful in stemming the flow of boundaries.
As for who will win, of course it's a complete lottery. I never expected the Associates of throwing up an eventual World Cup winner. However, in T20s, they are perfectly capable of producing an upset which in turn could destroy the hopes of a fancied outfit. Similarly, any of the leading nine are potential winners, and I don't consider poor pre-tournament records tob an enormous hindrance. For example, Stuart Broad's whinges or the occasional thunderstorm, will do more damage to England's chances than poor spin bowling or putting Jos Buttler at five instead of four. India's promising start bodes well, with world-class batsmen supported by a trio of economical spinners. I fancy Australia to maintain their fine form in all three formats but New Zealand or Sri Lanka could well upset the current rankings. South Africa and England probably don't have the depth of slowies, and the West Indies' reliance on Gayle and Narine may be too optimistic, and their medium pacers too profligate.
It's not proper cricket but if the competition continues to serve up more close encounters and Dutch delights even I may be converted, if only for a few weeks!
