Twinty20 World Cup 2007

By Shariq M. Qureshi

20th September: Three Matches played in South Africa in twenty 20 tournament, out of which two were very important to know which teams will go through to the Semi-finals, Aussies were the first to take on Sri Lanka, The first decider of the day, winner shall move on to the next round of semis, Aussies won the toss and put Sri Lanka in to bat, and right from the very first over Bret Lee claimed the huge wicket of Jaysuriya, Sanath Jaysuriya failed once again to rescue his country, and no other batter following him could get Sri Lanka out of woods, they all perished for a pathetic 101 all-out, Aussies did mean it a seroius business, after having restricted Sri Lanka to a miserable 101 all-out, their opening Pair got the job done for them, winning it comfortably with 10 wickets, in just eleventh over.

Second Match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, the outcome totally insignificant, as Pakistan had alredy qualified for the Semi-final, one would expect Pakistan to be doing against Bangladesh, what Australia did to Sri Lanka, as they would be playing the game absolutely without any pressure. But, Pakistan after winning the toss electing to field first, looked already a bit strange decision of Malik, as if he was not trusting his bowlers, where as batting first would have been a better decision, to let your Batsmen have a go against some easy bowling, as the opening has been sloppy, throughout this tournament. Perhaps, Malik thought of sending Bangladesh back home on an earlier flight, by dreaming of getting them all out in may be ten overs or less, and chase the target in 5 overs. Not to be, This Match looked like if Pakistan is playing deleberately to lose, or as if they were in a benefit Match, they certainly didn't look the team, which had just two days back ratteled the Australians, Asif throwing wides, the fielders not concentrating on the Game, Pakistan though won the Game finally, but if thet go into next games with this kind of the decipline, they can start booking their Flights for Saturday evening.

Third and the last Match of Super eight. Infact, all important match, because this match's outcome would decide the fate of three teams, out of which two teams in the group, S. Africa Kiwis or India two shall play in the semis. South Africa who haven't lost a game in the tournament looked pretty solid to knock down India, and move on to Play semi-final, but the way Indians came back in this game after having lost some early wickets, the Captain Dhoni produced a Match winning Partnership with a new comer Rohit Sharma, South Africa likewise Pakistan didn't play the way they usually play, some drop catches and absolutely sub standard fielding, did dent them heavely, so much so that they lost the game, despite all the other measures they took to win, like preparing a Pitch suiteable to their bowlers, having the greate Home Crowd support, they just didn't capitalise on that all, or perhaps had taken India not seriously enough. India on the other hand put 153 on the board to defend, started very poorly with Sreesanth giving away 11 runs in the first over. It was RP Singh commenced on the other end sent Gibbs and the South African Skipper Smith home in his first over, what can be described as the turning point in this Match.

Now, Pak vs NZ and Aus vs Ind. shall be playing in the semis. On paper Pakistan are capable enough to beat New Zealand, and there should be no douts in anybodiy's mind to suspect Aussies, and undermine their ability of getting undone by India. And then in the Final they would avenge Pakistan, for what they did to them in super 8 round.

But cricket is a funny game, especially in a twenty 20 game its the team that plays with decipline, and have stronger nerves, to withstand the pressure.

Do you believe Australian will prove the world that they are unbeatable, or perhaps Pakistan will repeat their performance of super 8 round against them, once more and take the trophy Home. Another posibility is that India eliminating Aussies and allow Pakistan to for the first time win against India in a major tournament, or will it be Kiwis fighting Indians to take the Trophy home.

Have your say, feel free to express yourself, and let's see whose predictions will prove right.