Irish players have not only grown in age, but girth as well

Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie

The ICC Men's Twenty20 World Cup has gone pretty much on expected lines with the top teams winning their games against the qualifiers and showing that even in this ultra short format of the game, where the odds get considerably even the full member teams are just that bit better especially as far as dealing with pressure goes.

They also have the advantage of most of their players playing in some T20 league or the other and thus, have the experience of various situations and can draw on that experience when they are playing for their country. Yes, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are also full member countries and have their own T20 leagues, but both have struggled a bit in the tournament so far. Afghanistan are a recent full member country, but the format suits them and though they haven't won as yet, they certainly have given the opposition the shivers and worry lines to ponder about. Their matches against New Zealand and India could well decide which of these two teams from their group go through to the semi-finals.

If they beat both these teams then they themselves can qualify for the semi-finals and what a boost that would be to a country which has seen trouble and turmoil for decades now.

Ireland, who also got their full member status along with Afghanistan, were knocked out at the qualifying stage itself. Unlike Afghanistan, who have newer players coming through the ranks, the Ireland team look pretty much the same over the last decade or so with the only difference being that their players have not only increased in age, but also in girth, which in this speedy format doesn't help at all. Despite most of its players playing county cricket and not considered as overseas players, the Irish team's progress has been patchy at the international level. They continue to beat one big team in every World Cup and that encourages the belief that they will turn the corner, but the corner seems a lot more rounded than what cricket followers thought.

Professional Management Group