Pallekele, Sri Lanka – Canada’s recent performance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, despite a winless record, has sparked a conversation about the development of Associate nations in international cricket. While the team finished their campaign with four losses from four games, the experience gained, and the calls for greater opportunities to compete against Full Member nations, are resonating within the cricketing world.
Saad Bin Zafar, former captain of the Canadian national team, has been vocal about the need for more consistent competitive opportunities for Associate countries. Speaking after Canada’s defeat to Afghanistan on , Bin Zafar emphasized that regular matches against top-tier teams are crucial for growth. “I think if there’s one thing that I would like to change it would be Associate countries getting more opportunities to compete against some of the best nations because that’s the learning ground, that’s where you learn,” he stated.
The current structure, Bin Zafar argues, places Associate nations at a distinct disadvantage. They are often “thrown right against the bigger opponents” at World Cups without the benefit of prior experience against similar levels of competition. This lack of consistent exposure hinders their ability to adapt and perform on the biggest stage. He hopes the ICC will address this imbalance, potentially by creating a system of regular matches between Associate and Full Member nations throughout the year.
A significant challenge for Canada, as highlighted by Bin Zafar, is its geographical location. Unlike teams from Asia, which benefit from tournaments like the Asia Cup, Canada lacks a similar regional competition to provide regular high-level matches. “It’s also hard for us because we don’t fall under areas like Asia or some region, because Asian teams they get to play Asia Cup and a few other tournaments,” he explained. “We don’t have anything like that.”
The pressure of performing on the world stage, particularly in front of large crowds, was also acknowledged by Bin Zafar. He noted the mental fortitude required to navigate the intense scrutiny and expectation that comes with representing a nation at a global tournament. “Obviously, there is a lot of mental pressure there when you play in front of the crowd, in front of the mass audience – not just the crowd at the ground but also the very fact that the whole world is watching you,” he said. However, he also pointed out that Associate cricketers are accustomed to pressure, albeit of a different kind, stemming from the high stakes of qualification tournaments.
“In Associate cricket, even if we play without crowds we have other kind of pressures. A lot of the tournaments we play, our qualifications are on the line whether we have to play a tournament to regain our ODI status or to qualify for a World Cup. So it’s a different kind of pressure but that’s pressure itself. So as cricketers we are just used to controlling the pressure and staying present.”
Despite the disappointing results in their recent campaign, Canada did demonstrate individual positives. Bin Zafar highlighted the performances of Yuvraj Samra, Harsh Thaker, Ansh Patel, and Kaleem Sana as encouraging signs for the future. “A few individual performances,” he said, “Yuvraj [Samra] is one of them, Harsh Thaker had a few good knocks, bowling wise Ansh Patel, myself we picked up a few wickets, Kaleem Sana had a few good spells. So all in all a few individual performances but it’s disappointing that we couldn’t have a complete game.”
The broader context of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, as evidenced by recent reports, suggests a growing competitiveness among Associate nations. Teams are increasingly challenging established cricket powerhouses, a trend attributed to the growing influence of franchise leagues and increased international experience. This development underscores the importance of providing these teams with more opportunities to compete at the highest level.
The call for increased opportunities isn’t simply about leveling the playing field; it’s about fostering the growth of the game globally. By providing Associate nations with more regular exposure to Full Member opposition, the ICC can contribute to a more competitive and dynamic international cricket landscape. Bin Zafar’s perspective, born from his experience as a captain and a player within the Associate system, serves as a compelling argument for change. The schedule for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 continues, with Australia facing Oman on in Pallekele, and a Super Eights match between Pakistan and New Zealand scheduled for in Colombo.
