World Cup Cricket 2011

End of the campaign for Pakistan

It is the end of the road for the Pakistan cricket team in the World Cup. Defeat to India in the semi finals signaled the end of the campaign for the green team. A loss against arch rivals India does leave a bitter taste in our mouths but the fact of the matter is that we were outplayed by a better team on the day. I will analyze the match in brief.

A War Without Weapons

Never before in a World Cup had such hype of so much magnitude been created before the match. Being a Pakistan India match emotions on both sides of the continent were running high and there was huge pressure on both the teams. The media of both the countries were having shows with cricket experts being invited to give their comments and a constant mind games were being played by the media. The match was being treated as a war without weapons which in my opinion should not be the case. A match should be treated like one and one should realize that winning and losing are part and parcel of the game.

Catches Win Matches

Coming to the match itself as someone rightfully put it “Pakistan let it slip through their fterally”. Pakistan’s fielding in the match was atrocious. There are some rules in life you cannot defy, some batsmen you really cannot give a chance to. And if you give Sachin Tendulkar four chances - not one but four! - you cannot expect to win a game, no matter what else you do. It was one of Tendulkar's least fluent recent innings as well, but in the drops of Misbah, Younis Khan - their two best catchers -Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal, went the game. It is as simple as that.

It is sad - but also predictable - that ultimately it came down to Pakistan's fielding, for that is the one area they have really worked hard on in training and actually thought about methodically, making sure for once of placing the rigeht fielders in the right places. Younger players have come in who genuinely enjoy fielding, a couple of older ones have led the way.

Expect Miracles

There were other reasons for the defeat also, which included some horrid and rash strokes played by our well set batsmen to get out. Also included is the delay in taking the batting power play and the innings played by Misbah which remains a mystery to me. Like I said it is our poor fielding which has to take the cake. If they are skilled and contrary enough to get away with it against most sides and players, to expect to do so against the game's greatest modern-day batsman, in such a setting, is to expect miracles.

India favorites

India has to be given the credit for playing so well under extreme pressure. They handled their nerves in a very positive way and came out on top. I would say this is a different and improved Indian team compared to the 87 and 96 World Cups when they lost in the semi finals due to pressure expectations of the home crowd. They have defied the pressure this time and must be favorites to win the World Cup for a second time. Their victory over Pakistan and Australia in their last two matches have really made them battle hardened with their confidence being sky high.

Beyond Expectations

In conclusion I would like to congratulate Pakistan on reaching the semi final of the World Cup when no one had given them a chance. Winning and losing is a part of the game and the important thing is to learn from your mistakes and not to repeat them again.

I saw the match at Sind Club and all the youngsters present there were wearing the Pakistani jersey and with their faces painted in green. There was a feeling of expectation and people were cheering and partying before the match began. As the match drew to it’s conclusion a look of resignation and disappointment was visible on people’s faces.

Cricket is the winner

We have shown to be united as a nation supporting our team Pakistan. I hope and pray that not only cricket unites us but political issues including our ties with India. Seeing the two Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan watch the match together was very encouraging and cricket was the ultimate winner in the end.