Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
West Indies are once again staring at the ODI World Cup Qualifiers after failing to secure a direct place in the 2027 tournament. The two-time world champions have now found themselves in the qualification battle for a third successive World Cup cycle, continuing a worrying decline in their fortunes in 50-over cricket.
The latest setback comes after Afghanistan strengthened their position in the race by beating Ireland in the second ODI of the ongoing five-match ODI series. West Indies were already outside the top eight in the rankings, and Afghanistan’s victory effectively closed one of the remaining routes that could have helped the Caribbean side climb into the automatic qualification places.
advertisement
For the 2027 World Cup, co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe have automatic berths, while the remaining eight direct places are determined by the ICC ODI rankings. The rankings cut-off is September 30, 2026. West Indies had slipped to 10th in the rankings on 73 points after their ODI series against New Zealand, while Bangladesh were ninth on 83 and Afghanistan seventh on 90.
WEST INDIES FACE FAMILIAR QUALIFICATION BATTLE
The situation is painfully familiar for West Indies. They also failed to secure direct qualification for the 2019 World Cup and were forced to go through the Qualifiers in order to reach the tournament.
Four years later, however, they suffered an even bigger setback. West Indies failed to qualify for the 2023 World Cup altogether after losing in the Qualifiers in Zimbabwe. Defeats against Zimbabwe and the Netherlands in the Super Six stage ended their campaign, with Scotland’s victory over the Caribbean side confirming their historic absence from the tournament.
Now, they are once again facing the prospect of having to fight their way into the World Cup.
The Afghanistan-Ireland series was crucial to West Indies’ hopes. Ireland needed a near-perfect run, including a 5-0 series sweep, to remain in contention for direct qualification. But the opening ODI in Bready was washed out, ending Ireland’s hopes of making the required surge.
Afghanistan then defeated Ireland by 92 runs in the second ODI, with Rashid Khan producing a sensational 6/34 as Ireland were bowled out for 207 while chasing 299. The result further strengthened Afghanistan’s position and left the West Indies with virtually no path to direct qualification.
West Indies are scheduled to play three ODIs against India, beginning on September 27, with the second match on September 30 and the third on October 3.
But even a 3-0 series victory would not be enough to change their fate. With their position already beyond repair at the qualification cut-off, West Indies will have to prepare for another Qualifiers campaign.
For a team that lifted the ODI World Cup in 1975 and 1979, repeatedly finding itself outside the direct qualification places is another stark reminder of the challenges facing West Indies cricket.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
