MS Dhoni calls on ICC to provide more fixtures for UAE and other associate nations

MS Dhoni, right in action against the UAE, believes the progress of the associate nations can only benefit cricket. David Gray / Reuters

PERTH // MS Dhoni insisted the UAE and other sides from beyond the Test sphere deserve to be given more opportunities to play the leading nations.

The India captain, though, pleaded that his side be exempt from the project given their packed schedule, “unless we are going to play two games in one day”.

The UAE’s quick-fire defeat to the Indians in the pool fixture was the only time a non-Test nation has been routed by one of the game’s elite so far at this World Cup.

Dhoni said it is up to the International Cricket Council “in their air-conditioned room” to decide whether the associate nations, like the UAE, should be precluded from future versions of the event.

He said he believes they need more chances for the good of the game’s development.

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“It is good exposure for them,” Dhoni said at the conclusion of India’s nine-wicket win over the UAE at the Waca Ground. They are competing with the Test nations because they have done really well in Associate tournaments.

“It is a graph and, when it comes to Afghanistan and some of the other teams, you can see a bit of an improvement in their games every time they come and play.

“You have to see that cricket is developing as a sport.”

Dhoni said the game’s administrators need to look beyond commercial imperatives and ensure cricket is encouraged to flourish beyond its existing heartlands.

“You want cricket to become a global sport when it comes to participation,” he said.

“Rather than looking at it from a commercial point of view, we have to make sure where there is the existence of the sport that it keeps on increasing there.

“Then have a look at other countries where there is the prospect of playing cricket.

“Overall, I think it is a win-win situation. But, most of all, it is to make sure if there is fire anywhere then it becomes a bushfire in terms of intensity.

“From what we have seen of the associates, there has been an improvement in their cricket. We have to give them more opportunities and make sure the infrastructure in those countries gets better and better, then more people could come and play cricket.”

Mohammed Tauqir, the UAE captain, repeated his view his side will only improve by being given more chance to play this level of opposition.

“The more we play against these sorts of teams, the fear and the thinking that they are a bigger team will not be there,” Tauqir said.

“The whole tournament is a learning experience for us.

“We need to show improvement in the next game, make fewer mistakes and learn from this experience.”

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