When small countries get opportunity to play against the leading teams they'll gain more experience as well as find ways to play in a professional and experienced manner. At times it is possible to see new teams playing good, but all of the sudden the.match used to change completely. They don't know how to withstand those situations. These can be learnt only by playing against the top teams.
Now at top level in this format we have few teams those can create upsets, or we can expect entertaining match from them as we watch recently matches by Ireland against India and now against New Zealand which is good for the purpose of this game and for these players because with this they can take good experience and practice for the game.
Specially this will help good growth in this game which is much needed, but we are now having few franchise leagues which are coming unusually which can create mess up for this, ICC need to bring policy which help them and also bring better revenue and profitable for players as well.
But these do not seem to be very enjoyable for the viewers because generally, these matches are often one-sided. I have to admit that this time it was not like that. Against India, we can probably say that the first one or two matches were a little one-sided. However, the matches against New Zealand were not so much. Ireland actually put up a brave fight and I have to say I was impressed by the performance. I think if they are given more chances like this they will be able to upset a few big teams in the near future. And with the franchise league, I don't think the popularity of cricket is going to have any problems.
If anything the popularity of cricket is going to increase because of franchise cricket. But ICC will have to work to make a proper balance between international cricket and franchise cricket. Since we already see a lot of players missing international duties as a result of playing in the IPL.