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 don’t know much about cricket, but all I could think while looking at this guy’s picture was that he looks a lot like George Clooney ha.
Now it is time to pack up bags, go back to the U.S.of A and milk the Pakistani Government for more ‘Govt sponsored’ dollars for his pet National Human Resource Development Projects. Who knows, his pal Ata`ur Rahman may take on the mantle. If that ever comes to fruition, Inshallah, I will ‘give up’ following the game of cricket ever again. Let’s hope that the powers that be come up with a reasonable person to head the PCB. Is that asking for too much my dear brothers and sisters?
I wonder if he would have resigned if the political fizaa of Pakistan was different. I think the current scenario where people have smelt the fear of the powers-that-be contributed to Dr. Ashraf’s resignation. He is known to enjoy all the perks and privileges that go along with being Mush’s buddy.
NEWS
Naaim Ashraf resigns! Good riddance!