Adil Najam
Our ATP Poll today is a simple question – one that all cricket lovers in Pakistan are thinking of. Lets hear from you, what you think. And figure out also what our collective thinking on this is: How far will Pakistan go in the ICC Cricket World Cup that starts in less than two weeks – i.e., what is the highest level that the Pakistan team will get to in the World Cup? (Remember, we are asking you what you think will happen; not what you want to happen!)
The trouble ridden Pakistan team has had plenty of rough patches recently, but the recent series in New Zealand have injected a new enthusiasm amongst fans – at least that the team is building itself up again.
The question, of course, is whether the comeback is real and whether it is real enough to sustain through a World Cup? What do you think?
P.S. Results of a similar ATP Poll we had conducted right before Pakistan’s ill-fated performance in the 2007 World Cup are available here.
If I recall correctly, according to some stupid mullah, Pakistan needs to change the color of their shoes from green to something else if they want to win…easy formula.
And while they are at it, maybe they can convince their Indian counterpart to color the grass white so they are not hurting the pure color of Islam.
Jokes aside, I think Pakistan will be out in or before Quarter Finals. There are other teams that deserve to be in Semis and finals. If this was 1999 or 2003, I would have said Pakistan will go all the way but not in 2011. Sorry for the die hard fans…I salute your patriotism but they just wont cut it this time.
Some comments from the ATP Facebook Page:
– “across the border not that far”
– “Will reach and lose in the SEMI-FINALS. 33%”
– “as optimistic as it gets”
– “Semis, if they are lucky”
– “INSHALLAH FINAL WIN KARAY GAY 2011 WRLDCUP KA INSHALLAH HAMARI DUAY TEAM PAKISTAN KAY SATH HAY >>>:)”
– “This is a funny poll. This is not a union council election; You cant win the world cup with a poll. What is needed is prayers to Allah and hard work.”
– “Funny comment. So, “prayer” is needed. How about practice and hard work. Doing a poll on people’s opinion you do not get, but you think Allah will intervene to make Pakistan win. Why? What has Allah got against the other teams. And what have we done to make Allah happy about us recently – we kill in Allah’s name, we lie in Allah’s name, we cheat in Allah’s name, and then then Allah is going to play cricket for us too! Give Allah a break… Allah has much better things to do!”
Interesting results till now. People seem to think that if Pakistan reaches the Final it will win it. 3% think that Pakistan could reach the final and lose there while 20% think Pakistan could win Final.
I guess hope wins over experience!
Under the given circumstances … when Cricket is being Deployed as a tool of Psychological Warfare … against Pakistan … Compliments, the ICC … I reckon its time, we had our own Cricket Cups … and played the game locally … at least, till such time, the Present ICC Board is Reconstituted, true Sportsmen … replacing the Warfare Psychiatrists.
What they did with Shoaib Akhtar … because he was faster than Bret lee … and now three promising Pakistani Players, is totally unwarranted, and needs to be taken up in the Pakistani Courts of Law …
The ICC should be asked to submit Proofs and Explanation, Explain, as to How, without any tangible proof, except that of a Yellow Tabloid, can the ICC Convict some very talented Pakistani Players … while it looks the other way when its game fixing by IPL or MCC.
Unfortunately, I am not even confident we will get past the group matches. I hope I am wrong.