Why didn’t any subcontinent team reach the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup semi-finals?
By K.R. Nayar
From Dubai International Stadium
It is very strange that none of the subcontinent teams reached the semi-finals of the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup. The tournament was held in subcontinent conditions—familiar and almost identical to those in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh—yet all the four teams performed poorly. The semifinalists are Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies.
New Zealand's off spinner Eden Carson who won the Player of the Match award against Pakistan
Disappointing Show by Asia Cup Champions
The reigning Asia Cup T20 Women’s champions, Sri Lanka, were the worst performers, losing all four of their matches. Bangladesh, the tournament hosts, lost three out of four games. Their performance would have been even more disappointing had they played this poorly on home soil, in front of their fans. Pakistan showed little resistance, never really threatening their opponents at any stage of the tournament.
Preserving the India-Pakistan contest’s prestige
People turn up in large numbers to watch an
India-Pakistan match expecting a strong contest. The men’s India-Pakistan
matches are huge draws, thanks to the intense contest they produce. If
Pakistan’s women’s team are not able to lift their standards, the glitter of
India-Pakistan women’s matches will be lost forever. An India-Pakistan match is
the biggest revenue generator, drawing maximum viewership, but that appeal
depends on both teams being competitive.
India’s price for one misstep
India paid the price for not taking the New Zealand
match seriously. They hardly expected New Zealand to adapt to the conditions
better than them. Although India made a desperate attempt to get back into
contention, they fell short. In a World Cup where every team puts forward their
best game, even a small mistake can prove to be costly.
Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur returns after a fighting knock that went in vain against Australia. Photo ICC Twitter
Adapting to the heat
It was impressive to see teams like Australia, New Zealand and England adapt to the heat here and still perform at their
best. Had they struggled and cited the heat as a reason, it would have been
understandable. Most matches were played in hot and humid conditions, something
that the subcontinent teams regularly face. A top-class professional team
adapts to such conditions quickly. It makes one wonder whether the subcontinent
teams had trained adequately to perform well under such heat.
Fitness on display
It was evident that the subcontinent teams were not as
fit as their opponents. Fitness plays a crucial role in T20 cricket, whether
it’s sprinting between the wickets or making sharp stops in the field. A fitter
team is better equipped to handle the challenges of the game.
The stunning result in the last round match that ousted England
Dropping simple catches
Dolly catches were frequently dropped by the
subcontinent teams. In a World Cup, even tough or half-chances need to be
converted into wickets. Some of the dropped catches were embarrassing, damaging
the credibility of the tournament. If people are to come out and watch the
women’s World Cup, fielding standards must improve.
Consequences of a poor performance by subcontinent
teams
It’s a known fact that subcontinent teams bring in
maximum viewership. If none of these four teams made it to the semi-finals, it
could have serious consequences for women’s cricket. With women cricketers now
earning salaries close to those of their male counterparts, it’s essential that
they also entertain the fans. Women’s cricket is growing, but for it to become
more popular, all teams must be competitive. Australia, having won the World
Cup six times and reached the semi-finals nine times, is clearly doing
something right. If other teams can’t match or catch up with them, it’s time to
reassess their training methods and skill development.
Schedule for semifinals:
Oct 17th: First semifinal
(Dubai International Stadium): Australia vs South Africa at 6pm
Oct 18th: Second semifinal (Sharjah Cricket Stadium): New Zealand vs West Indies at 6pm
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