Tom Bruce opens up on how associates can improve [Source: CricketScotland, CricCrazyJohns/X.com]The ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup has been nothing short of a spectacle in India and Sri Lanka. What has contributed to the entertainment in the tournament is the way the smaller and associate nations have upped their game and made full member teams sweat for the wins.These performances by the associates have come despite their inexperience in big leagues like the IPL, which helps them rub shoulders with the best players in the world and learn and improve. Scotland middle-order batter Tom Bruce focused on this and called for the franchise leagues around the world to present opportunities to top associate players.Tom Bruce asks for an IPL-like experience for associatesDuring his recent interview with TOI, Tom Bruce, who recently moved from New Zealand to Scotland, felt that the associate teams are stuck in a loop. They impress at the T20 World Cups but don't get further exposure in IPL, BBL, SA20, etc. and play among themselves for the next cycle before turning up to the next edition.According to the Scottish batter, the countries with their own franchise leagues, like Nepal, see their players improve leaps and bounds and are able to do well against big opponents. However, more opportunities in IPL-like leagues will help them to go from competing to winning these matches and show their talent to the world."But how can we build up from there? That’s the burning question the associate members have asked over the last two weeks of the ongoing tourney. The lack of games against top-tier nations means they are never able to capitalise on that high, as for the next two years, they will be playing among themselves in their respective zones to qualify for the next edition, besides competing in the World Cup League."If you see the countries that have franchise tournaments, the local players are getting so much better. It's only natural that's going to happen when you surround yourself with the best players," he emphasised.Associate stars in IPLPreviously, IPL has seen a few associate players featuring in it, but not in prominent roles. The former Netherlands player Ryan Ten Doeschate was an important cog of Kolkata Knight Riders' success from 2011 to 2015.Apart from him, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi represented Afghanistan in the IPL before they became full members. Sandeep Lamichhane from Nepal has represented Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals), while Ali Khan of the USA has been a part of Kolkata Knight Riders' roster previously.T20 World Cup of near-upsetsThe 2026 edition of the T20 World Cup has been a story of associates and lower-ranked teams coming too close to winning against big opponents but failing to capitalise on their chances.On Day 1, Pakistan pulled off a win from the jaws of defeat against the Dutch due to a dropped catch and some poor death bowling by the Netherlands. India was also down and out at 77/6 against the USA before Suryakumar Yadav rescued them from that situation. Then Nepal and Italy came close to defeating England but fell short by 4 and 24 runs, respectively.Ireland fought well against Sri Lanka as well before their chase was derailed in the final five overs. The only upset which came to frution Zimbabwe's 23-run win over Australia in Colombo.
