28 February, 2024
Some of you may be familiar with the saying failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
In cricket, we often see teams go into series with little to no preparation in terms of match practice and then pay the price on the field. For Canada, touring Hong Kong and then Nepal, has been critical in testing themselves, but the big picture view has always been about having a bit of a runway leading up to the tour of U.A.E.
Having played indoors through the winter, these tours were an opportunity to get back in an outdoor setting, play in front of some enthusiastic and full crowds as we saw in Nepal, and find a rhythm ahead of matches with more serious ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 implications.
Several players have been in good touch and will now feel more in rhythm for these crucial matches. Here’s what you need to know ahead of Canada’s first match against the U.A.E. on Feb. 28:
What is ICC CWC League 2?
Canada was in a Challenger League group from 2019-2022 in a bid to regain its ODI status. By finishing atop the table, Canada earned a place in the qualifier playoffs last March and April. Then, by defeating Papua New Guinea, Canada was able to clinch its place in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2.
ICC CWC League 2 is the second phase of qualifying for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The Netherlands, Namibia, Nepal, Oman, Scotland, U.S.A., Canada, and U.A.E. are the eight nations that will contest this phase. Per the official ICC rankings last updated on Feb. 10, Scotland are the highest ranked side in the competition at 11th, followed by the Netherlands at 14th, and Nepal at 15th. Having just regained ODI status, Canada currently has no ranking points.
There will be several tri-series events, the first of which for Canada comes against U.A.E and Scotland. Each nation will get to host three series and play another six series away from home. Canada’s first hosting opportunity will come in September against Nepal and Oman.
Fourteen teams will participate in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe will be joined by the other eight highest ranked sides in the world.
The four other teams will be determined through a World Cup qualifier, in which the top four teams from League 2 will feature along with four other qualifiers and teams that miss out via rankings.
“The League 2 fixtures are a very important part of our cricket calendar because not only do they provide a pathway to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 but also provide a programme of highly competitive cricket around which teams can plan their calendars,” ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley said.
“Several of the teams playing in League 2 will also be featuring in this year’s Men’s T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. The League 2 series provides Members with the opportunity to schedule T20I fixtures around their 50 over matches, providing an excellent opportunity to prepare for the World Cup in the T20 format. I wish all the players the very best in what promises to be a very closely fought league.”
How did Canada’s preparation go?
Canada’s overall results were a mixed bag. Exposure for the youth was a priority for Canada in Hong Kong and the result was two wins in three matches but a loss in the final of a tri-series that also included Malaysia. On the tour of Nepal, Canada lost the bilateral series to the Nepal senior side 3-0 but two of the matches were closely contested. That was followed by a trio of matches against Nepal A, which Canada won 2-1.
Again, the main goal was getting out of the winter weather at home and into some sunny conditions that would allow for outdoor competition. In that regard, it was mission accomplished.
Who stood out with the bat?
Over the course of the past month, no one impressed more than wicket-keeper batter Shreyas Movva. His shifty, modern style filled with scoops and reverse sweeps was rewarded with 238 runs in six innings at an average of 59.50 and a strike rate of 102.15.
Pargat Singh only featured in four innings but was thoroughly impressive, scoring 220 runs at a run-a-ball and one majestic knock of 126 off 113 with 10 fours and five sixes against Hong Kong. He will play a crucial role in stitching together the middle overs for Canada.
Navneet Dhaliwal finished as the top run getter over the course of these two tours, scoring 276 runs in seven innings despite a slow start in Hong Kong. He averaged 39.43 with the bat at a strike rate of 80.23 and while typically an opener, had some good success in the middle-order against Nepal A including 80 off 76 batting at No. 4 to guide Canada to that series victory.
Aaron Johnson and Nicholas Kirton both managed over 200 runs in their time at the crease, Johnson consistently providing brisk starts with a strike rate of 115.32 over eight innings that featured 15 sixes. To give you an idea of Johnson’s approach, 202 of his 256 runs came in boundaries.
Kirton has been laying down anchor in the middle of the batting order, scoring 208 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 74.82.
It’s worth noting that Yuvraj Samra impressed during his brief stint with the team, playing only three innings but scoring an excellent 124 off 137 with eight fours and six sixes against Hong Kong.
Who stood out with the ball?
Captain Saad Bin Zafar was Canada’s main man with the ball, taking 11 wickets in 71 overs of work over eight innings while conceding just 3.96 runs per over. His left-arm orthodox bowling is a real jewel in Canada’s bowling chest and he will need these big performances to continue. Bin Zafar also had a couple of handy cameos batting lower down the order, finishing with over 100 runs to his name.
Opening pace bowler Dillon Heyliger finished as Canada’s second-leading wicket-taker, collecting 10 wickets in seven innings at an economy rate of 4.80. If there’s an area for improvement it would be his control as he did concede 28 runs in wides in 55.5 overs of work, which amounts to a wide every two overs.
Pacers Uday Bhagwan and Ishwarjot Sohi collected 17 wickets between them but conceded at a combined 6.51 runs per over. Sohi, in particular, seemed to be more effective as a first or second change with the older ball than when opening the bowling.
One of the benefits of having Harsh Thaker in the side is that he can contribute in all three vital aspects whether it be batting, bowling, or fielding. While he struggled with the bat, Thaker sent down 56.1 overs of off-spin at an economy rate of 4.84 and collected seven wickets.
Special mention must be made of Shahid Ahmadzai, who bowled 58 overs across the two tours and conceded a team-best 3.47 runs per over. He was also Canada’s most disciplined bowler in terms of extras, conceding just one run in wides.
Nikhil Dutta only bowled in two of the first six matches but featured in all three matches against Nepal A, finishing with four wickets in 36 overs.
One of the encouraging aspects on the bowling front will be that both pacers Ammar Khalid and Kaleem Sana made their returns to the national side against Nepal A.
What’s the schedule for Canada’s tour of the U.A.E.?
Feb. 28 at 12:30 a.m. EST: Canada vs. U.A.E. in Dubai.
Mar. 1 at 12:30 a.m. EST: Canada vs. Scotland in Dubai.
Mar. 5 at 12:30 a.m. EST: Canada vs. U.A.E. in Dubai.
Mar. 7 at 12:30 a.m. EST: Canada vs. Scotland in Dubai.
Matches can be watched live on ICC.tv
