Roaring Tigers change ODI dynamics
Pakistan, West Indies and Zimbabwe were supposed to play a tri-series in Zimbabwe. The series was to double up as a virtual qualifying round for West Indies and Pakistan to book a berth in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, according to an Indian website Cricketcountry. However, after confirming themselves a place by virtue of a series win in Sri Lanka, Pakistan promptly pulled out of the tri-series so as to not jeopardise their chances.
The dynamics of world cricket has changed heavily by the emergence of Bangladesh as a formidable One-Day International (ODI) team. Riding on the back of series wins against Zimbabwe, Pakistan, India and then South Africa, Bangladesh all but ensured a berth for themselves in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
This emergence created a situation where either of Pakistan or West Indies would be left out of the eight-team tournament. Even before Bangladeshs series against South Africa, authorities for Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)and West Indies Cricket Board (WICB ) quickly announced a tri-series in Zimbabwe which create a possibility that both team would qualify, leaving Bangladesh to lick their wounds.
However, the decision was based on the assumption that an almost full-strength South Africa would halt a rampant Bangladesh. Bangladesh proved the assumption wrong winning the series 2-1. After this feat, it was a certainty that Pakistan or West Indies would indeed not make the cut. The plans for the tri-series stayed in place though as it would be the ultimate determining factor about who between Pakistan and West Indies would become the eighth and final qualifying team.
Thanks to a strong away performance by Pakistan in Sri Lanka which saw them win the series and in process generate sufficient points to finish in the top eight without the tri-series. In all likeliness, if they were to go ahead with the tri-series, Pakistan would have qualified unless they performed horribly.
Despite this, Pakistan decided to take the unsporting decision of postponing the series, which effectively has left West Indies with no chance to come back into contention. Though West Indies could go ahead with a bilateral series with Zimbabwe, the points gained from beating a lower-ranked team wont suffice to surpass Pakistans rating, which took a boost from beating a higher-ranked Sri Lanka.
What is more disturbing than Pakistans far-from-heroic decision is the ease with which teams are allowed to tamper with international commitments. The PCB chief was quick to state that Pakistan had not confirmed the tour, however without much doubt the series would indeed have transpired had Pakistan still been hanging in the balance.
