February 28, 2003	Friday	Zul Hijjah 26, 1423

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JOHANNESBURG, Feb 27: The great scramble for a spot in the Super Six hots up as at least five places are still up for grabs in the World Cup.

As things stand after Thursday’s matches, Australia, the only unbeaten team left in the competition, are assured of a place in the second stage from Group ‘A’. No other team is yet certain of making the second stage.

With two berths at stake in Group ‘A’, it is a four-way dogfight between India, Pakistan, England and Zimbabwe. All four have a realistic chance of joining the Aussies.

India appears to be the best bet to advance to the Super Six stage after routing England on Wednesday. Even if Saurav Ganguly’s boys lose their last encounter against Pakistan on Saturday in Centurion they could make the last six as they have 16 points.

England, Pakistan and Zimbabwe will have to win all their matches to match India’s tally of points, a tall order under the circumstances.

Unpredictable but highly talented, Pakistan, have had a rough ride so far in the competition. Having lost heavily to both Australia and England, Pakistan must beat India and Zimbabwe on Tuesday to have any chance of making the Super Six.

It is a tough ask but the Pakistanis are definitely capable of beating both India and Zimbabwe if they play upto their potential. The situation for Waqar Younis and his teammates is dicey and on current form, especially the batting, makes the journey a hazardous one.

England, though well and truly whipped by India, are not out of reckoning as an upset victory over Australia could still earn them a place at the expense of Pakistan and Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe need to overcome Pakistan if they aspire for further progress in the tournament and mathematically it is possible that there could be a three-way tie for the two spots.

In that unlikely but expected scenario the run rate factor is sure to play a decisive role. At present Pakistan’s run rate is very poor and will have to win at least against Zimbabwe by a huge margin to ensure a place in Super Six.

The battle for the top slots is even fiercer in Group ‘B’ as the hosts South Africa, Sri Lanka, Kenya, New Zealand and West Indies all are in contention to make the second stage.

Kenya’s astonishing success over Sri Lanka has given Group ‘B’ a dramatic twist. A win against Bangladesh is expected to open the doors for the unsung Kenyans to become the first non-playing Test nation to march into the next stage of the competition, something no one would have thought before the start of the tournament.

Sri Lanka and West Indies, the early pace setters from Group ‘B’, have faltered but are still in with a chance. It is for sure that one of them will miss out as they play each other on Friday.

Shaun Pollock’s boys, seemed to be almost out of contention but given the lifeline by Kenya’s victory over Sri Lanka will go through in case they defeat Sanath Jayasuriya’s men, who seem to have the most difficult task to qualify.

New Zealand would have marched into the second stage if they had not ‘donated’ four points to Kenya by refusing to play in Nairobi due to security reasons. However, the Black Caps are best placed to earn the coveted place from Group ‘B’.

From the results of the past 18 days, this World Cup is becoming a nightmare for several fancied teams who are likely to face the humiliation of an early exit.