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.
OK here is the scenario. Previously, some members of cricket team are accused of misdemeanor (spending nights in night clubs, etc). So the slack created by them is fulfilled by tablighi jamaat inspired cricketers. As a whole the team sobers up and becomes mature. When they are doing fine, controversies are created (artificially – like the Darryl Hair episode). Shaharyar Khan is forced to resign. And ‘Roshan Khayal’ Naism Ashraf is erected in his place, nothing more than to discredit the now disciplined team members.
Trust me, there are more things happening behind the ‘global’ scenes than meets the eye.
In all GOOD RIDDANCE. And hope his chief and buddy follows his footsteps – namely Musharraf.
National Cricket Team Selection Comittie Resigned:
tinyurl.com/38fu66
[…] The outpouring of emotions and affection for deceased Pakistan cricket coach, Bob Woolmer, is not surprising in its content, but certainly in its intensity. Pakistanis everywhere – and even those few who are not cricket fans – have been visibly shaken and shocked by his sudden death immediately after Pakistan lost to unrated and untested Ireland and kicked itself out of the 2007 World Cup Cricket. […]
@SASA
well said SASA, your letter depicts truth.
I have always wondered, everyone writing in these blogs these days are pretty “roshan khayal” and well against Musharaf’s most policies. So which “roshan khayals” are supporting him??? where do they exsist???
As mentioned before this imported guy did nothing for the team, infact he himself involved the team into needless controversies. He was such a loser. Im glad that there was some self respect left in him that he resigned.