Pakistan bearing gifts
In all my talk about what New Zealand needs to qualify for the semis, one scenario I have not considered is Pakistan losing to Ireland, the two teams thus elimination each other and allowing New Zealand to qualify without even beating Sri Lanka.
You have to have a very short memory to not realise that Ireland beating Pakistan is not beyond comprehension. (For those with short memories, Ireland beat Pakistan at the ODI world cup in ’07.)
However, such a bonus to New Zealand, on top of the favourable draw, the drafting in of Scotland and results falling our way, would simply be unconscionable. It would mean that New Zealand would qualify for the semis due to wins over only Scotland and Ireland. And that would be not at all deserved.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Pakistan cricket team made strong come back after beating New Zealand in their “do or die” match. Now, they are hoping to move in the semi-final round. They are going to face weak Ireland team to ensure their place in the semi-final round. I can not see any hope of New Zealand’s come back in the competition. If Ireland can make another upset win against Pakistan then New Zealand will get a ticket to play in a semi-final round.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:12 am
Unless Ireland beat Pakistan by such a heavy margin that it takes their net run rate above New Zealand’s – which is not impossible in T20 cricket
June 17th, 2009 at 3:27 am
The New Zealand cricket team is a disgrace, an absolute embarrassment. Sadly with a half talented team their individual lack of consistency continues to astound me. It says the world about the poor state of New Zealand cricket when the stand out performer is left out of the original squad, only brought in as a late replacement. Anything but professional they are simply lucky they are paid to do something most of them are so poor at, in an other occupation the would have long been out of a job.