Finally Pakistan Stops Australia! Bangladesh Let England In!

It had to be Pakistan! Pakistan was trounced by New Zealand who in turn was beaten squarely by Australia. And now Pakistan ends Australia's run of unbeaten World Cup matches since 1999. They have topped Group A followed by Sri Lanka, Australia and NZ. But hardly anything can be said about what they are going to do in the first QF. You saw how Afridi got out today with the team needing him urgently at that moment and balls remaining were nearly three times more than the runs needed! Pakistan need to be a little more predictable or a little consistent if they want their second title.

Bangladesh who caused a major upset defeating England crashed out today doing immense favors to none other then England only! Though they are still with the same points as West Indies, their net runrate is so bad that it is not even mathematically possible to make it if West Indies is defeated tomorrow.

India is likely to meet Australia in QF if they defeat WI tomorrow and take the second spot in Group B. If they lose less heavily they are most likely to take the third spot due to better NRR than England and will face Sri Lanka in QF. Hardly any choice. The mantra must be only 'win' from here onwards. If they still have their sights on the World Cup they cannot afford to lose any more match.

All major eight teams are in the knockout stage. If there was a super league here it would have been a mouth watering proposition. But alas! Only seven matches from QF onwards will decide the final winner. But these seven matches are going to be big big ones with every team capable of winning on its day. If WI is defeated tomorrow Pakistan will meet WI in QF and that will be a match of glorious unpredictability! You can expect everything--the best or the worst.And of course, watch out for England who were beaten by minnows Ireland and Bangladesh, but tied India with an impossible target and beat the hot favorites South Africa!

Start howling for your favorite teams and enjoy!

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