Asia Cup to make it more meaningful the It's time to revamp

Bangladesh celebrates its cricket team’s ascendancy in unison and braces itself for a shot at history. A week or two ago, any suggestions of the hosts making the Asia Cup final would have been laughed off callously. A lot has been said and written about the brilliance of Bangladesh in this tournament, but one must not forget their fans, who have stood by their team through thick and thin despite years of disappointment and inconsistency. Their huge presence at the Shere Bangla National Stadium is a sight for the sore eyes and tugs the hearts of cricket fans around the world.

As the world continues to embrace T20 cricket - a format that is said to threaten Tests and One- Day Internationals (ODIs) - the crowd response for the Asia Cup comes as a massive encouragement. The Bangladesh victory over India is what triggered this humongous interest and set the tone for the games that followed. For example, the crucial game between India and Pakistan was played in front of a full house - despite it being a working day in the country. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) would be delighted by the way things have panned out and would be expecting a similar if not a stronger turn-out for the final.

However, despite these encouraging signs, the ACC has to chalk out a strategy to maintain the fanfare of this prestigious tournament in the coming years. A move by the regional body would pay rich dividends not just for cricket in Asia, but also the internationally. It is a well-documented fact that the subcontinent is the powerhouse of the game and the passion for cricket is unparalleled. Assuming that the very sustenance of ODIs is under threat, a strategy to strengthen its fan base is the need of the hour and a competitive tourney like the Asia Cup may be the way forward. The empty stands during the India-England ODI series last year served as a huge warning and it needs to be heeded. Such a scenario would have been unimaginable in India and the alarm bells are loud and clear.

Once, the Asia Cup establishes itself as an indispensable part of the international calendar, the inclusion of the weaker sides can be considered. The United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong have featured in two Asia Cups, but didn’t look a part at the international stage. However, a team like Afghanistan may push its case with consistent performances. Their meteoric rise through the ranks has been inspirational and the day they play international cricket on a regular basis may not be far away.

For now, the focus is on Bangladesh and whether or not they would be able to cross the final hurdle. Pakistan are the only team to have beaten them, but would be wary of the challenge considering the fate of India and Sri Lanka. If Bangladesh manages to pull it off, it would be similar to Greece’s triumphant campaign in Euro 2004. However, one would hope that Bangladesh’s rise continues and a victory would herald a prosperous era.