Adil Najam
Part of me thinks that I should wait until the current World Cup match against host and co-favorites Sri Lanka ends. But another part insists that no matter what the result of the game, the point is made: Pakistan is indeed a contender. Mercurial, unpredictable, sometimes spectacular, often its own worst enemy (and that could happen in this game too), but never shy of upsets and surprises (in its own favor and against!).
So, what do you think: Is Pakistan a contender? And now two two games done and every team already having played, how do you evaluate Pakistan’s chances in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup? Is our readers’ assessment of the team’s chances the same it was two weeks ago, or has it changed. Have your say.
Of course, one game does not change the course of a tournament. And even this game is not done at the time of writing this post. But this is no ordinary game. Along with India, Sri Lanka is being talked about as the other favorites. But more importantly, this is the first serious test of Pakistan in quite a while and at least till this point in the game, Pakistan has made quite a game of this. Is this a flash in the pan or indicator of things to come? And that, before we even know how the flash will end! Even so, if you want to place your money on them, you can easily do so on platforms like Kcasino.
I use the word ‘contender’ to mean a team that one should seriously consider as a possible winner. Not just because it can surprise, but because if it would pull off a win it would not necessarily be a surprise. Are we there yet? Can we get there?
Enough said. Now, you have your say.
I think it comes down to three matches and how you do on those three days, regardless of the team you’re playing. Quarter, Semi and Final. On our day, we can beat anyone in this WC!
Afridi took his 300th ODI wicket today. He is now only the second player in the World to have take 300 wk and scored 6000 runs in ODIs. The only other player is Jayasuria.
With one easy victory and a real upset in their bag it is now nearly for sure that Pakistan will make to quarter finals. After that’s its each day and how it goes because then its all knock out. No bets on anyone.
One important thing to remember is that it is VERY VITAL for teams to do well in their group. That will determine who you play, specially in Quarter Final. So, the higher you place in your own group the less difficult team you will face in the quarter-finals. In many ways that is significance of this win. Specially if we also win next three games. As we really should.
This will be an amazing confidence booster for Pakistan. I hope they do not start taking it easy.
With this out of the way, the next three games for Pakistan are much easier: v. Canada (March 3), v. New Zealand (March 8; who they just defeated in NZ), and v. Zimbabwe (March 14). Then the final tough group match is against Australia on March 19.
There is every reason that Pakistan can start showing consistency now. If it wins next three games (in each Pakistan will now be favorite) then it will have great confidence in that last game. Go Pakistan. Please don’t get cocky now.