Cricket: ICC approves WC qualifying system

Is a result of a humiliating u-turn after they had originally announced that the 2015 cup would feature10 teams.

LONDON: The International Cricket Council (ICC) approved a new system of qualifying for the 2015 World Cup. It is a result of a humiliating u-turn after they had originally announced that the 2015 tournament would be just contested by the 10 Test-playing countries. However, following a negative reaction the body decided to organise a qualifying which will see four second-tier countries end up fighting out for the World Cup. There will be a new 50-over league introduced which will serve as the qualifying programme with the top two teams in the eight-team, 50-over league going through and the remainder joined by the teams finishing third and fourth in the World Cricket League Division 2. The top two teams will compete in the new league to decide the remaining two qualifiers.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th, 2011.