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.
I think i agree with Aqil Sajjad on the Pakistan’s team’s use of Allah (swt) in interviews and press conferences.. yes as Muslims we do beleive that everything is from Allah but really look at the context where he is speaking — we can assume people will understand that we beleive the good and bad is from Allah and as Muslims we accept it all – but that wil be a BIG assumption on our part.. i think as professionals its imperative for them to keep it objective and not start bringing religion like this, it does become an embarassment at on that platform – Pakistan team’s religion is becoming such a big issue i feel more for Paksitanis – making most of them uncomfortable – but i feel like thats their personal issue and Alhamdullilah for the players exploring a spiritual side in them – but Inzimam is the problem really only that Allah wasnt with you – or your team has serious issues, the team was not motivated, they were just not ready for cricket – i mean Allah helps those who help themselves so lets not just put everything on Allah here did you guys do your job to begin with…
My recipe for success going forward. Fire the trio – Ashraf, Woolmer, and the Imam. Imran Nazir should go. Younis Khan should be the new captain. Abdul Razzak should be new VC. Bring in the following true patriots and get rid of politics in cricket and humiliating spectacle of foreign coaches. Imran Khan – Head Coach, Wasim Akram – Bowling Coach, Javed Miandad – Batting Coach, Shareyar Khan – Head of PCB. Recruit more youngsters into the team. Make them understand authority and listen to the Seniors. Teach them technique, send them to England to play county cricket. Tell Shoaib and Asif to get their act together in 1 year or simply fire them once and for all and start from a clean slate. Start new Cricket academy to train new players.
In the context of impact of religion on games here is; PAKISTAN VS INDIA HOCKEY COMMENTRY (COMEDY)
Its in Punjabi but hopefully most will understand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDCXGrMUD0Y
I was at Sabina Park for the WI-PAK game. It became very clear very soon that the Pakistani players just didn’t have the desire to win. They were completely lethargic, lazy and disinterested in the game. As a captain, Inzi is totally uninspiring. And he has a ready excuse for everything — “we’ll win if allah wills us to win — and if we lose, then allah didn’t will it anyways” — so pretty much everything is out of Inzi’s control. It’s time to get the religo-fanatics who wear their religon on their sleave to go back to their mardrassas. Let’s find some Pakistani cricketers that want to win!
Aqil as I said that you shouldn’t be worried about that non-Muslims have similar mentality like yours. Many non-Muslims are smart and many times forum members also admit it by praising West. It’s funny people are now doing politics on behalf of this defeat as If we have been winning WorldCup since beginning.
I am totally against the behaviour of “Parhe Likhay Jahil” Pakistanis who are sending public statments that team should be treated like hiter or send to gitmo etc. This is sign of jehalat. Pakistan lost WC in past as well. Infact past captains[except Imran] were more pathetic than Inzy. My demand is that not only Team and Bob, the culprits like Naseem and PJ mir should be suspended as well otherwise if we continue the current blame game then we would be reacting in similar manner against the future Pakistani cricket team who might have no relation with religion or any other thing.