February 20, 2003	Thursday	Zul Hijjah 18, 1423

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

JOHANNESBURG, Feb 19: Pakistan’s first target to reach Super Six stage appears more difficult following comprehensive victories by their next opponents England and arch-rivals India over Namibia and Zimbabwe respectively on Wednesday in the Group of Death.

Unlike on Tuesday when hosts South Africa, facing an early exit from the competition, were thrown a lifeline by the intervention of rain the weather did not play any part in Wednesday’s matches.

After West Indies’ clash against Bangladesh was rained-off the Group ‘B’ becomes wide open and no team is sure of a slot in Super Six unlike the holders Australia in Group ‘A’.

So Waqar Younis’s men must prevail over England at Cape Town in a day/night clash on Saturday to remain in contention for a Super Six berth. A defeat will certainly make the task of getting into next round a mighty difficult assignment.

Now both England, having forfeited four points to Zimbabwe, and India are on eight points from three matches each. Pakistan have four points, from their victory over Namibia, but have played one game less.

Pakistan, undoubtedly the most talented outfit in the competition as well as the most erratic, will have to play to their potential to outwit England, who are still in Super Six reckoning despite the loss the loss of four points to Zimbabwe.

England, a very competitive one-day outfit, with their bits and pieces players could pose problems for Pakistan and no sane individual would dare to predict the outcome of the result.

On paper, Pakistan have a slight edge over England who have not done well recently especially in the one-dayers. Yet, they have a reasonably good side quite capable of upsetting the odds on a given day.

Pakistan, who are already in Cape Town, have no injury worries and hope to field the strongest eleven. Left-hander Saeed Anwar has now fully recovered from his elbow injury and the players did some strenuous training during the past two days.

The tourists are, however, surely be worried over the failure of their top order batsmen to play an innings of substance in the two outings. Another display like the one against Australia could mean disaster.

Last but not the least, bad weather could still return in the next round of matches to haunt even the fancied teams, as forecast for next week is for an unsettled weather particularly around Johannesburg and its surrounding areas where Pakistan face India on March 1 at Centurion Park.