New Delhi: After some amazing performances by the associate nations in the ongoing World Cup 2015, the support for them has grown immensely.
Yesterday, in another nail-biting thriller against Zimbabwe, Ireland registered their third World Cup 2015 victory.
Ireland has further strengthened its chances of qualifying for the knock outs with 6 points in four games followed by West Indies with 4 points in five games.
Earlier, Irish batsmen posted their best ever ODI score of 331 for eight with Ed Joice scoring 112 and Andy Balbirnie 97 as the two batsmen shared a 138-run stand for the third wicket after they were invited to bat.
Zimbabwe put up a valiant fight through skipper Brendon Taylor, who smashed a fighting 121, and Sean Williams who played a superb knock of 96.
Apart from this, UAE batsman Shaiman Anwar has been the star of the tournament with one of the leading run scorers in the tournament. In four matches so far, he already has 2 half centuries and 1 century with an average higher than that of Gayle and Amla.
Recently, the cricket governing body International Cricket Council (ICC) has hinted at pruning the number of teams at the quadrennial event in England 2019 by excluding the associate nations.
While some feel there is need for greater participation of associate nations, others feel the game's lawmakers need to think long and hard before making a decision.
However, after brave performances from associate teams with Ireland at the forefront, the cricketing fraternity, voices in support of the minnows seems to be growing louder than ever.
