There are twelve nations, that are part of ICC full- members; they became one of those when they started playing test, and there are benefits of becoming one of these as you have the right to vote and become a powerhouse, but we will not talk about them but about countries who are not playing test crickets but are on the rise to become one of them.
1. Scotland
Scotland became an associate nation in 1994, they have played three ODI World Cups and five T20 World Cups, but they got their first win in 2016 when they beat Hong Kong in the T20 world cup. Scotland was remarkably close to qualifying for the 2023 world cup but unfortunately lost the last match against the Netherlands, but this is just the start of the new era of cricket in Scotland.
2. Netherlands
One of the most talked teams currently, the underdog, the team no one thought would qualify for the world cup, but they did the unthinkable. They were ranked 15 in the ODI team ranks when they qualified, they would try to place higher in the world cup. This team still must play test cricket, which can happen in the future with the squad they have.
3. Nepal
Nepal still has not proved much in the game still yet, much they have capabilities to show the world, but this would take time for it, they have not played any ICC tournaments still yet, but they surprised everyone by qualifying for the Asia Cup. They will play against India and Pakistan. This can help them so much to gain experience and can help them to play a test match in the future.
4. Oman
Oman played in the 2016 and 2021 T20 world cup, but their performance was not impressive, but this side showed that they can play with character. Oman has hosted many qualifiers in their countries, and this team can do wonders, but this team has players who are not from Oman but are Indians or Pakistanis.
5. UAE
UAE is ranked 16th and 19th in the ICC ranking for T20i and ODI, respectively; UAE has qualified for the ODI world cup twice, in their history in 1996 and 2015, and twice in the T20i world cup. UAE has hosted many qualifiers, whether for ICC or ACC, and had Pakistan play in their home grounds. UAE can play a test match.
6. Hong Kong
Hong Kong was on the rise in 2014 when they played the 2014 and 2016 World Cup and played the 2018 and 2022 Asia Cup, but they are not the same since then as they did not qualify for any world cup or the Asia Cup this year, but this does not mean they cannot do it again, have the chance to come back and show the world.
7. Namibia
Namibia qualified for the 2021 and 2022 T20i world cup and was impressive in it, they will try to keep the same momentum going towards 2024, and they will automatically qualify for the 2027 ODI world cup due to its hosting rights, this will help them form their future, they can gain the experience from this, which will help them play test matches.
8. USA
USA is the upcoming cricketing nation; they still have not played any ICC tournaments except the 2004 Champions trophy. They will play the forthcoming 2024 T20i world cup as they are hosting it; many nations are playing in USA stadiums, like the ongoing WI vs. IND last two T20i would be played in Lauderhill in the USA. This will increase cricket in countries like the USA, where cricket is not considered a major sport.
9. Canada
Another North American in this list, they have played the ODI world cup four times in their history with them playing in successive world cups from 2003 to 2011; Canda was seen as another team from North America to play cricket internationally and make their name. They did this at some point but due to many controversies, they fell and hit rock bottom; but they will rise again.
10. Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea has not been impressive in international cricket yet, but they have the capabilities to be one of the best teams in Africa; they are one of the best teams in East Asia-Pacific. They also have the record for the highest one-day score when they scored 572 against New Caledonia.
