I posted something related to this before, but just have to give an update since the proof is now here.

ICC World Cup Qualifiers: 54 matches, not a single one affected by rain! Not to mention each match was a scheduled 50-over affair.

IPL: Just 6 matches so far, and 3 have been affected by rain! (delays, reductions, whatever). And these are just 20-over matches!

And we're talking about playing in the same country, around the same time of the year (there's even some time overlap)!

So it's obvious that the players and fans of Associate Nations pray to different Rain Gods than the top teams, and those Rain Gods are more powerful. ICC needs to investigate this and come up with an official ICC religion based on the combined beliefs of the Associate Nations.

Then let us learn how to appease these Rain Gods. Not sure what it would entail, but I would bet that getting rid of the ludicrous "strategic timeout" would be the first step!

46 matches so far. And not a drop of rain to affect a single match! Oh Rain Gods of the ICC Qualifiers, where were you in the 2007 World Cup? Or 2003? Or even the T20 World Cup 2007?

What can the official ODI teams and their fans do to seek your favor? What are your demands? Please let us know. We are ready to listen and act.

And, just for my sake, please don't rain on the remaining few matches. Two reasons. First, it's been an amazing and spirited tournament, and I'd hate to see rain play spoilsport. Second, I'll never be forgiven for jinxing a great tournament!

Yes, it's very unlikely, and will take nothing short of a miracle. But it's possible, and that's what counts.

Here's how:

- Afghanistan beats Namibia...(likely)

- Scotland beats UAE...(very unlikely)

- Canada beats Netherlands convincingly...(somewhat unlikely)

- Ireland beats Kenya...(possible)

(Note: the "convincingly" can apply to either of the last two matches, but it needs to be more convincing for the Ireland vs Kenya match.)

Given that Kenya, UAE, and Netherlands have so much to play for, it is unlikely that all three of them will lose, especially since Ireland are already through, and Canada are virtually through). In addition, one of Netherlands and Kenya has to lose convincingly.

In any case, Afghanistan will probably beat Namibia and end up as an official ODI team. Which means they can tour Pakistan! :) They have much to be proud about - well done Afghanistan!

But I still have some hope of seeing them in the 2011 World Cup! It ain't over till Levero...I mean that fat lady sings!

There's a pretty exciting tournament going on, and that's the ICC World Cup Qualifiers tournament. From a format, schedule, and logistics perspective, I think the ICC has got it down pat. 12 teams, 2 groups, a Super 8, 50+ matches, and all within 20 days!

Now, why can't the ICC learn from their own success and apply it to the next level? Granted, some of it can't be replicated. For example, you can't have teams play two days in a row (well, you can but the players will bitch and moan incessantly). And you will have difficulty playing 4 games a day because of umpires/officials limitations.

But still, the ODI World Cup does not have to last 5+ weeks for it to be successful. With some common sense, it can be shortened to three or four weeks (max), and filled with intensity. Even going with the 14 teams they have for 2011, they could have used so many formats. But they're going with the horrific quarter-final format.

Not sure I'll ever know what happens in those ICC boardroom meetings. But certainly Mr. Common Sense is not a participant.

UAE played Afghanistan today in what was the main event of the World Cup Qualifiers for me.

I was backing Afghanistan all the way as UAE had already won all but one of its matches. An Afghan win would have improved their chances of securing a World Cup place.

After the loss to the UAE though, its looking tough for the Afghans.

They have qualified for the Super Eights along with Kenya, Netherlands, and UAE - all 3 of whom have 4 wins from 5 matches but are ranked in that order on the basis of net run rate.

But a Super Eight berth, where they go up against stronger opposition in Scotland, Ireland, and Canada, does not guarantee a World Cup place.

Only the top 4 are going to qualify.

On current form that looks like Ireland, the only team that is unbeaten in the competition, and any 3 of Canada, Kenya, Netherlands, and the UAE.

There were no surprises in the final round of matches of the group stages, besides Oman winning their first match of the tournament.

They beat Uganda, who also managed only 1 win in 5 matches, by a single wicket in what turned out to be one of the most exciting matches of the Qualifiers thus far - it produced the highest run chase of the tournament.

Those of you have flown into or via Dubai must have at some point taken Emirates Airlines.

Well the next time you buy a ticket from Emirates, make sure you leave a message for one Amjad Javed.

Amjad Javed, who works for Emirates Airlines in the UAE, smashed a career best 164 against Denmark in the world cup qualifiers today.

Amjad opens the batting and the bowling for Emirates Airlines cricket team, and he is doing the same for the UAE in the qualifiers.

His knock came off only 117 deliveries and included 17 boundaries and 8 sixes! It also led UAE to the highest total posted thus far in the competition - 379/6.

This was only Amjad's 2 century in 15 List A matches and his highest knock at all levels of the game.

This was UAE's 3rd victory in 4 matches they look well set for 2011.

Afghanistan though, my other favorite, lost their 2nd consecutive match after a strong start to the tournament.

They were beaten by Netherlands.

Group A's top 4 teams matches now look like this: UAE beat Netherlands, who beat Afghanistan and Kenya, who beat both UAE and Afghanistan.

Day 3 of the ICC World Cup Qualifiers went well for the UAE but not so much for Afghanistan, who lost their first match of the tournament.

Afghanistan were downed by Kenya, who must surely be one of the favorites.

Though after losing to Netherlands I did not expect Kenya to give the Afghans such a heavy defeat.

And who else but the never age-ing veteran of so many world cups, Kennedy Otieno at the forefront of the Kenyan Victory with an unbeaten century.

UAE, on the other hand, faced a tense chase against the Netherlands finally getting there in the final over with 2 wickets to spare.

Saqib Ali finally showed what he's all about!

UAE getting to a win without a single run from Khurram Khan is a surprise, albeit a good one!

Victory without the skipper's contribution has been rare for the UAE and its a positive sign that shows that they can do it.

These results make Group B wide open with UAE, Afghanistan, Kenya, and the Netherlands all on 2 wins from 3 matches.

UAE beat Netherlands who beat Kenya who beat both UAE and Afghanistan.

This sounds more interesting then what the test nations get up to.

Group A looks the dull one though with Ireland and Canada dominating the proceedings and Namibia and Oman not being able to win anything.

Considering that, aren't the groups slightly skewed?

It's like having Australia, South Africa, India, Sri Lanka in one Group and Pakistan, New Zealand, England, and West Indies in the other!

I know they're based on some rankings but surely something's wrong.

In other news, Bermuda won their first match and our favorite Dwayne Leverock was once again on top with the ball: 9-0-23-0.

Amazing for a man who went for almost a 100 in a match in the 2007 World Cup.

Canada became the first team to go beyond 300 in the qualifiers and who else but John Davison to get them there.

Davison, who holds the record for the fastest century in a World Cup match, smashed 131 off 99 deliveries with 10 fours and 6 sixes against Namibia.

He had failed to get going in the first 2 matches, but today, he made it his day!

Jrod, you must be pleased.

I am too as long as UAE and Afghanistan stay in the race!