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.
Personally, I am a bit sad by the kind of treatment being meated out to Inzimam by the media. I think (perhaps after Miandad), he is the best batsman Pakistan ever had, but as usual people are dumping all his services into garbage because of this defeat. One or two losses can kick you out of the cup, but he has also won many many victories for Pakistan. Winning the cup in not everyones destiny.
The most funny thing is that the same people who used to applaud him for his religous demeanour, are now taunting him as “maulanaâ€
This reminds me of Gen Tauqeer Zia who had resigned after Pakistan was dismissed very cheeply (for scores in the fifties) by Australia in both innings of a test match. Musharraf didn’t accept the resignation and he continued for another year and a half after that.
After the 2003 world cup defeat, he (Tauqeer) came under a lot of scathing criticism. One critic remarked that he is such a failure that he couldn’t even succeed in getting his resignation accepted.
I certainly wish Nasim Ashraf more success than Gen Tauqeer.
Good riddance. Trus me he was appointed to ‘negate’ the influence of ‘Dhari walas’.
So the ‘civilization’ has come to a point where judging some palyer’s performance is more to do with his shaving habits.
To hell with this ‘roshan khayali’.
Intresting!
From TimesOnline
While concerned about the all-pervading influence of the madrassas, Woolmer studied the Koran to understand the team that much better. Although he felt that they were too inclined to believe tales of black magic and superstitions, he valued the discipline that religion imposed, that there was no drinking and hence no need for curfews.
Not a muslim but had belief that religion did make difference in the performance of Pakistani Team. Alas, a non-muslim british chap who spent just 2 years with Pakistanis caught the main reason but not born so called _educated_ muslim Pakistanis who rather wasted life to preach throwing religion out of life but then It’s up God that who is selected by Him for guidance.
Glad to know Naseem Ashraf resigned. He had no other choice otherwise AWAM could make his BBQ. He also has to appear infront of senate standing comittie for culture and sports to justify this defeat
Nasim ashfar proved himself a “manhoos” chairman for Pakistani Cricket. Pakistan didn’t win any single tournament in his presence. Even we lost a coach!. Pakistan team got scattered and we faced several scandals as well. Now experts raising questions why he opted to take dope tests before worldcup. Let’s see whether president accept his resignation or not. I hope next chairman would be sensible enough to concentrate on cricket matters rather pinging in personal matters of players.