With the increase in popularity of the game, the more established associate nationals have been regularly taking part in tournaments and bilateral series with the likes of UAE, Nepal, Netherlands continuing to lead the way.
With some wonderful investment in infrastructure, UAE has held many international matches and the recently concluded Indian Premier League. Most associate nations need not look further than Afghanistan for inspiration, A team that rose through the ranks in quick time to make international status.
Interest in cricket outside the teams with international status always existed and can be dated back to 1844 when a team representing the USA played a match against Canada. But until January 2019 when ICC decided to grant T20 International status to sanctioned matches to all of its associate nations, They have always struggled to find recognition.
With cricket playing nations on the rise, with the increase of domestic leagues around the world. The standard of cricket around the world is on the surge. Today, CricWizz takes a look at the records held by associate cricket-playing nations around the world.
Youngest and Oldest players to play in the World Cup
In 2011 being just 16 years and 283 days old, Nitish Kumar representing Canada became the youngest player to participate in the Cricket World Cup. He represented the Canadian team in 16 ODIs and 6 T20Is. Nolan Clarke of the Netherlands, aged 47 years and 257 days old, holds the record for the oldest player to take part in the World Cup. He helped the Netherlands Cricket team to qualify for the 1996 World Cup.
Highest ever partnership for the 7th wicket in World Cup history
The Amjad Javed and Shaiman Anwar partnership scored 107 against Ireland and again in a match against West Indies, scoring the same amount of runs between the partnership of Nasir Aziz and Amjad Javed is the highest seventh-wicket run- stand in World Cup History. And thus UAE became the first team to score a 100+ run stand for the 7th wicket.
Oldest player to score an ODI century
Representing UAE, Khurram Khan at the age of 43 years and 162 days became the oldest player in history to score a century in ODI cricket and as it was his maiden hundred, He also became the oldest player to score his maiden ODI hundred. The Left-hander made his century even more invaluable by guiding his team to a six-wicket win over Afghanistan. His unbeaten knock of 132 of 138 balls stands to be the highest score by an Emirati player in ODIs.
Only associate team to reach semis in Cricket World Cup
In the 2003 Cricket World Cup, Kenya became the only non-Test playing nation to reach the semi-final of Cricket World Cup where they lost the knockout to India for 91 runs. Surging through the group stages they had some surprising victories against established cricket-playing nations such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. Although the victory against the islanders came courtesy of a walkout,
Highest ODI partnership for any wicket by an associate nation
Hong Kong openers Nizakat Khan and Anshuman Rath carved their names into history books as they stitched together a 174 run partnership, The highest ODI partnership for any wicket by an associate nation. Chasing a target of 286, Hong Kong couldn't capitalize on their start failing to win the match.
Most catches in a single T20 International
Taking four catches as a fielder in a single T20 international match, Barbar Hayat of the Hong Kong cricket team added his name to the joint record of most catches in a T20 International. He is joined by a host of other players that include Darren Sammy, Ajinkya Rahane, Peter Borren, Corey Anderson, and Dinesh Chandimal.
With various nations developing the game in their countries, we can look forward to the rise of many more associate nations challenging for international status. Let us know which associate nation you look most forward to and which record of an associate nation surprised you the most.
