World Cup 2007: A Legacy To Be Left Behind

Re: hasanmahmood

If New Zealand can chase 300+ twice with only one quality batsman, Pakistan can certainly score 260-280 even if Inzy doesn`t return to form. And don`t forget that most teams in this WC don`t have too many good bowlers.

this world cup will be won by the team which fields best. NZ.

My money would be on Australia/ South Africa with covering side bets on NZ/India.
Somehow I cannot imagine Windies, England or Pakistan (without Shoaib) winning the World cup.

re: hasanmahmood

Now that Razzaq is out, we have no choice except to stick with Rana Naved. I agree his form of late has been depressing. But Rana is a great fighter, can bat well and knows this is his first (and last) WC.

I would rather have a struggling fighter like Rana in my team than a talented pushover like Faisal Iqbal or Mohammad Sami.

re: rf786

Kaneria and Razzaq (or his replacement) will not play in every match. I expect the following lineup:

1. Imran Nazir
2. K. Akmal / M. Hafeez
3. Younis
4. Yousaf
5. Inzy
6. S. Malik
7. S.Afridi
8. A. Mahmood
9. S.Akhtar* / Rana Naved / Kaneria
10. Umar Gul
11. Asif* / Rao Iftikhar

* Assuming they clears drug test

Kaneria will not be played against teams that play spin well (e.g. India, Sri Lanka). Pakistan will play 4 specialist batsmen, one wicket keeper, 3/4 allrounders and 2/3 specialist bowlers.

So the NCO Abdul ``Subedaar`` Razzaq has dropped out. Who will marshall the troops. Is this a small rebellion against Maulvi Inzy and Ayatollah Woolmer`s regime and their non-supprort of key players?

Just like Inthikab, Mushtaq and Miandad were mysteriously left out, mystery shrouds Razzaq.

http://www.rediff.com/wc2007/2007/mar/01akhtar.htm

Shoaib and Asif to miss World Cup

Pakistan pace bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif have been ruled out of the World Cup due to injury, a senior cricket board official said on Thursday.

Shoaib, who has played just one Test and four one-dayers since last February due to fitness concerns, has been unable to recover from a knee injury that forced him to be sent back from South Africa last month.

Asif has been carrying a niggling elbow problem since that tour and the pair were receiving treatment in London but neither will be fit enough to participate in the tournament in the Caribbean, which starts on March 13.

``Yasir Arafat and Mohammad Sami will be sent as their replacements,`` Pakistan Cricket Board chief selector Wasim Bari told reporters.

The loss of the new-ball pair comes as a major setback to Pakistan`s hopes ahead of their opening match against the West Indies on the first day of the tournament.

``It is a big blow for us, but I am confident that Yasir Arafat and Mohammad Sami will live up to the expectations,`` team coach Bob Woolmer said.

``They will join the team in a week`s time and we hope to overcome our injury problems with a united team effort.``

Having said that the Caribbean pitches are not speed-supporting and it will be more like batting-fielding tournament then theres no doubt that it would be Proteas’ Cup for having their long batting line up with 10 batsmen (just 1 or 2 fragile batsmen) and Field Marshal Jonty.

Koalas with 7 batsmen and 4 of 7 are very dependable and Langurs also having similar batting line up (sorry I cant HONESTLY say about batting dependability) BUT then Mushis are behind Proteas with batting line up to 8/9 with HOPEFUL dependability and lost troops of Field Marshal.

Shahid Hashmi in Karachi
Friday March 2, 2007
The Guardian


The International Cricket Council is insisting on its right to see medical evidence of injuries to Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif before it will allow Pakistan to call up replacements for the World Cup. Shoaib and Asif were ruled out yesterday, Shoaib after apparently struggling with a knee injury and Asif with an elbow knock, and when the squad flew out to the Caribbean the two men taking their places, Yasir Arafat and Mohammad Sami, were left behind to await ICC clearance.

dear writer

Thanks for an excellent article!!!

I am leaving for world cup 2007 April12th-April16th in Barbados.........

Will you be there?

Re #26, Zeena,

Great timing! Don`t miss India vs Pakistan on April 15.