Cricket World Cup 2007

**geysir** · 20/03/2007, 6:20 PM

Originally Posted by Sheridan

Might be no bad thing if Ireland fail to qualify now. The point has been made and a few trouncings in the Super Eights could undermine their progress.

Not according to Rankin
Rankin dares to dream.
�It will be an unbelievable experience playing against all the top sides. I�m just looking forward to it. Hopefully everything goes to plan.�

**Sheridan** · 21/03/2007, 4:20 AM

Police have officially declared Woolmer's death suspicious and launched a full investigation. A Pakistani TV channel has explicitly used the word murder. One strand of the grapevine is hinting that motivation for his supposed murder dates back to the Hansie Cronje match fixing scandal and has nothing whatever to do with the World Cup results.

Nonetheless, I'm still highly sceptical that anything untoward occurred. Either way, it seems the possibility of Pakistan fielding against Zimbabwe today is receding by the minute. A forfeiture would leave Zimbabwe favourites to qualify.

**Noelys Guitar** · 21/03/2007, 10:06 AM

The Pakistan game is definetely going ahead. But the more worrying news is that Trent Johnston is unlikely to play. He has been the genius out on the field with his bowling and fieldding changes. But I still believe Ireland will get into the super 8's. And possibly beat England.

**DaveyCakes** · 21/03/2007, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Sheridan

Might be no bad thing if Ireland fail to qualify now. The point has been made and a few trouncings in the Super Eights could undermine their progress.

The Scots (who harboured pretensions of being the top Associate team before the tournament) are getting absolutely caned by South Africa. Scotland batted first and cravenly blocked out the first 45 overs before reaching 186/8. At least Bermuda had a bit of a go. SA are treating them with the contempt they deserve, 86 without loss off 10.4 overs.

If you followed that logic, then you'd have been saying that Ireland shouldn't have gone to the tournament in the first place. The likelihood is that they'll get a few spankings in the Super 8 if they qualify, but so what? It'll be great experience for the players and it'll give more exposure for the game.

**razor** · 21/03/2007, 2:02 PM

Pakistan were put in to bat by Zimbabwe.
Currently 31/1 after 6.3 overs

**bigmac** · 21/03/2007, 2:19 PM

Pakistan on 34/1 off 10 overs

Zimbabwe restricting them to very slow run rate at the moment

**bigmac** · 21/03/2007, 2:32 PM

Getting a bit better now, 59-1 off 13.2

I just did a quick calculation that's a bit worrying. The rain delay in the Pakistan game has cost us a bit on our net run rate as the Pakistan total is calculated over 47 overs instead of 50. Only moves us to .27 instead of .33 but it could have an effect if Zimbabwe win this match.
We should have a rough idea what sort of performance is needed after this game either way.

**Dodge** · 21/03/2007, 2:38 PM

67/1 off 14 overs

TBH lads I wouldn't be thinking of NRR. If Zimbabwe win they're through is the way I'm looking at it. We'll see where Pakistan are after 30 overs before making any predictions

**bigmac** · 21/03/2007, 3:18 PM

134-2 off 24 now.

Malik gone but as it took him over 11 balls to score, that might not be a bad thing. Inzaman has hit 28 off 22 balls so far. A run rate over 5 would be a decent target to set Zimbabwe I think.

**Jerry The Saint** · 21/03/2007, 3:34 PM

Originally Posted by bigmac

Inzaman has hit 28 off 22 balls so far.

Out for 37 off 35 balls in his last ODI ever. Of all people, he wouldn't want the team to bow out on a bad performance, especially given the circumstances.

Nazir up to 75. 162/3 after 29 overs.

**Jerry The Saint** · 21/03/2007, 3:36 PM

From the Guardian updates:

Wonderful scenes in Jamaica: Inzamam Ul-Haq has just been given out in his final one-day international. As he left the pitch, every Zimbabwe player went up to the Pakistan captain to shake his hand, before the Pakistan team gave him a guard of honour.

**OneRedArmy** · 21/03/2007, 3:36 PM

Another wicket gone, but 162-3 after 29 overs looks good.

I don't want to tempt fate but a big knock from Pakistan (over 280) should make Ireland breathe a bit easier.

**bigmac** · 21/03/2007, 3:38 PM

cricinfo updates pretty good for my money - more frequent and detailed than most.

168/3 off 30 overs - another 100 or so would put up a decent total. Hopefully Pakistan can knock a few over early on as well.