In January last year in New Zealand, 10 associates took part in the qualifying tournament to decide which two would join Ireland and Afghanistan at the World Cup.

Hong Kong were grouped with Scotland, United Arab Emirates, Canada and Nepal in pool A. The other pool comprised the Netherlands, Kenya, Namibia, Uganda and Papua New Guinea. The top three from each pool would enter a Super Six group which would decide the two qualifying teams.

Hong Kong began well, defeating Scotland in their opening game by 17 runs with opener Irfan Ahmed and brother Nadeem Ahmed contributing with bat and ball. Irfan, who scored 75 in that game, carried his form on to the next game scoring an unbeaten 100 as Hong Kong chased down Canada's 171 for the loss of just one wicket. Next up were Nepal, and the irresistible Irfan was once again to the fore, scoring an unbeaten 86 as Hong Kong overtook Nepal's modest total of 150.

The unbeaten run ended against United Arab Emirates in the final pool match with Hong Kong losing by 22 runs, failing to chase down a target of 250. Yet, Hong Kong had done more than enough to finish second in the pool and advanced into the Super Six along with Scotland and UAE. Importantly, they took two points with them - the points gained from beating Scotland.

In the other pool, Papua New Guinea, Namibia and Kenya advanced. And these three were Hong Kong's opponents in the Super Six. Hong Kong lost their first game to Kenya, unfortunately on the Duckworth/Lewis system for rain-interrupted matches. In the next game, Hong Kong thrashed Namibia by 76 runs and then beat PNG by three wickets.

The narrow loss to Kenya meant Hong Kong's fate depended on Kenya beating Scotland in the final match with Hong Kong going through on a superior run rate. Kenya batted first and posted 260 and had Scotland struggling on 130 for seven. But the Scottish tail wagged strongly and saw them through with three balls to spare. Scotland and UAE qualified and joined Ireland and Afghanistan as the four associate countries at this 14-nation World Cup.

It was agony for Hong Kong. They had come so close. Now they are unlikely to get another chance.

Next time, the qualifying format will see the bottom two test nations in the ICC one-day rankings - the ninth and 10th teams which right now are Bangladesh and Zimbabwe - having to play with the top associate countries to decide two spots in the World Cup proper. Bangladesh and Zimbabwe will likely qualify, shutting out any associate participation.

This format has been to ensure the safety of the Big Three - India, England and Australia - in the early rounds. Even the format of the present World Cup is drawn out, taking six weeks to complete. The 2019 event, although reduced to 10 teams, will take three more days to complete.

Why? It is simply due to television and the need to showcase India. Rewind to the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean when India were knocked out in the early stages. Such a shock will not happen this time, or next. And who has to pay for that - the associate countries.

All the drama has been leached out by the ICC. In the past an upset by an associate would have been enough to knock out a big team - as happened to Pakistan in 2007 after they lost to Ireland - but this format, with more group games, will prevent that happening. The 14 teams have been split into two pools of seven with the top four from each progressing to the quarter-finals. A one-off shock as happened in 2011 when Kevin O'Brien and Ireland stunned England will not have such a huge impact and it is expected the final eight will be made up from the big guns.

This World Cup will be predictable until the quarter-finals. The 2019 World Cup will be even worse. Cricket will be the loser.