In ongoing Cricket World Cup, the format has been questioned a lot as many matches which includes associate teams has ended as a one sided matches. ICC (International Cricket Council) has also planned to reduce the number of teams to 10 in next World Cup which will be co hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2015.
But I think Ireland who on the other day beats England by chasing a record margin of all the World Cup has performed well as they also gave tough time to Bangladesh. And don’t forget that it was Ireland who has beaten Pakistan in 2007 World Cup. Similarly Netherlands in their match also played well.
In past, these associate teams played with each other and than the top four teams compete in the World Cup, playing with each other didn’t increase their standard.
ICC must engage these associate teams with International teams and arrange at least one unofficial match with each test playing nation every year. With this happening these associate teams will improve their standard and after that the top two associate teams can be taken in the next World Cup.
While in T20 format these associate teams can play at international level as these teams can play at that level easily and T20 is a better format for minnows to start cricket at international level.