Everyone was talking about India and Sri Lanka when this world cup started but suddenly we have another sub-continent power into the contention. Yes you right in thinking the name of Pakistan. A team which due to some unknown reasons was never in the spotlight but always was in the wrong spotlight due to some very well known reasons. We have reached on the verge of Knock out stages. Let’s have a look into all the subcontinent contenders.
Let’s talk about India first. A team which is always has been very close to our hearts. A team which initially was looking very balanced and full of match winners is suddenly looking not more than an ordinary team. This team looks very competitive on the ground even against Ireland and Netherland. As always heavily dependent on its very strong batting lineup and very sluggish bowling lineup this team is highly vulnerable for doing a miracle anytime. They did one against South Africa. At stage they were looking very comfortable with 267-1 on the scoreboard but within no time they were on the ground defending 296. Which is by no means is a difficult score to chase down in current scenario of one day cricket. Still they again looked competitive and lost fighting. I am not questioning India’s strength with the bat. A mere fact which could be of little concern is that in most of their WC matches this season they haven’t taken a single wicket in first 10 overs with the shining new kookaburra. Even against Netherlands they were wicket less in first 12 overs. So, let’s hope they will improve as the WC gains the real momentum in the knock out stages.
Now we have the Lankan tigers in the queue. Till now they are justifying for what they were talked about. The most complete team of this world cup. Yes their openers are not in the greatest of the forms. But their middle order full of experience is not letting them down by any means. Bowling too looks in good rhythm with Mailnga and Kulasekra holding the initial attack and backed by a very strong spin bowling lineup which includes legendry Murali. So, nothing much to talk about this team just keep on watching them through the knock outs.
So, last but not the least now we have Pakistan. Very rightly spotted by Mr. Sourav Ganguly and warned initially that please be aware of these miracle boys. A team with some highly talented players and the most important factor they have nothing to lose. They played against Sri Lankans like real match winners and did the same in the end. This match actually changed the way they were looked at in the tournament. Their batting as always is blended with some young enthusiasts and a few experienced ones. Younis and Misbah is such a bonus with their loads of experience. Bowling too looked very result oriented with a real talent Umar Gul on the top supported well by not expected Shahid Afridi. But the X factor is that even with some ordinary talent they could be very dangerous because of the sub-continent conditions. These conditions which were talked about a lot before the starts of this world cup are haven’t been utilized much by any other sub-continent teams. But, Shahid Afridi got the maximum of the low and slow pitches while Younis & Misbah make most of the opportunities. Recently what they have done against Aussies is a real eye opener. So, keep looking for these miracle boys and hope for real action as we have one more potential champions in the making.
