Adil Najam
Pakistan plays its second group match in the 2007 World Cup Cricket against Ireland today.
Having already lost the first match to hosts West Indies, if the troubled Pakistani team also loses this game, it would have effectively eliminated itself from the tournament even before the ‘Super 8’ begin. On the other hand, if Ireland wins, it will be a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day windfall for the Irish.
Even though Ireland had pulled in a remarkable effort by tieing against Zimbabwe, the odds say that Pakistan will not lose today (and if they do, would there be any hope at all left for Pakistan cricket?). But around 20 per cent of our readers seem to think that Pakistan will fail to make it to the Super 8 – if not by losing today’s game, then by losing the last Group game against Zimbabwe. This according to the results of our ATP Poll on Pakistan’s prospects for the Cricket World Cup 2007.
(Click above for larger image)
The overall prognosis from the Poll seems to be rather bleak.
- A total of 398 votes were cast in the Poll.
- Some 20 per cent (79 votes) believe that Pakistan will not even make it past the group stage into the ‘Super 8.’
- This means that 80 per cent feel that the team will get into the Super 8. However, just about half (47 per cent; 188 votes) believe that Pakistan will not get beyond the Super 8 stage.
- A total of 34 per cent (131 votes) believes that Pakistan will, in fact, get to the Semi-Finals. But 20 per cent (78 votes) are of the view that the team will get no further than the Semi-Finals.
- 53 people (14 per cent) are of the view that the green caps will get to the Finals; and of these 43 (11 per cent of total) feel that we will win.
Personally, in this case I would hope that the majority is wrong and the 43 people who think that Pakistan will actually win the World Cup turn out to be correct. I hope so, but, frankly, I am not holding my breath.
Inzi’s excuse for not playing well: Gods is not willing that we win. There you have it.
the sixer of Irish guy is not different than Miandad’s sixer in Sharjah.
So that’s that. Thank you Adil for your lovely coverage of the WC. Short and more than adequate. These guys should now hope that some more drama ensues in Pakistan because of the CJ issue, otherwise they should stay in Jamaica and enjoy the weather.
I think we will win next time when Kaneria and Wolmer also grow a big beard. Lets call it a green saturday.
Happy St. Pat day to Irish players and fans.
And oh yes those who believe that the last time pakistan lost to bangladesh was a setup think again. I agree with Boycott when he says Pakistan is a team who are totally unpredictable , they can beat Austrailia and the next day loose to Bangladesh.
With the Musharraf nonsense and the cricket team bitch-slapped, Pakistani morale is unfortunately at an all-time low.