THE manner in which Pakistan has struggled in South Africa, India has tumbled in New Zealand, and Sri Lanka is struggling in Australia, the chances of Asia’s progress in the forthcoming World Cup are getting slimmer and slimmer. This is not to suggest that the Asians will have no chance at all, but that they are not expected to take much of a momentum going into the premier tournament.
More than the quality and performance of the opposition, it has been a case of self-destruction on the part of Pakistan, and a mental block where India and Sri Lanka are concerned. Before we move on, let’s not forget that in addition to their independent problems, all Asian teams suffer from an inherent inability to churn out their magic on fast, bouncy tracks that they come across outside the continent.
The elements of self-destruction and mental block come later. First and foremost, it is a matter of basic ability. Though Pakistan did win its lone World Cup on the hard wickets of Australia and New Zealand, miracles are not an everyday occurrence. In fact, the kind of huge financial incentive the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced for the team in case it lifts the coveted trophy, in itself appears to be an indication that the PCB management is not very hopeful of its team’s chances, and rightly so!
There are a handful who think a change at the top can make a difference. They are right. It will definitely make a difference, but, unfortunately, it will be a negative effect. I wrote about it last week and I do wish to mention it here that a change in captaincy at this juncture is only going to work against the team. I concede that Waqar has been on a low for a while, but any captain will be on a low whose side is thrashed 3-0 by Australia and then come up against South Africa, the second-best side in world cricket, and that too in their own backyard. Nasser Hussain of England will certainly know what we are talking about.
In between the two tough series, Pakistan came across Zimbabwe and swept them off their feet in a hurry. The same thing has happened with England. They did not manage a single win on their current tour against any Australian side till they came across Sri Lanka in the on-going triangular One Day contest.
What I am trying to assert is that as things stand today, the Australians are ahead of all others by a long margin. Even the South Africans, in comparison, are nothing more than a distant second. They are followed by an even more distant third, but this is not a single entity; it is a group comprising Pakistan, England, India, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and even the West Indies. Who would win against whom depends on where the contest is taking place, and, of course, the fitness level of the players involved.
All these teams have a greater chance of victory on home grounds, but do give a tough fight while playing overseas, but only when the rival also happens to be from within the group. They will continue to suffer against Australia and South Africa unless something dramatic happens. Pakistan’s performance in South Africa must be seen in that context.
The PCB is doing the team no favour by delaying the announcement about Waqar’s captaincy in the World Cup. It is very difficult for any captain to make things happen on ground when his side is led, or misled, into believing that a change is in the offing.
THE manner in which Pakistan has struggled in South Africa, India has tumbled in New Zealand, and Sri Lanka is struggling in Australia, the chances of Asia’s progress in the forthcoming World Cup are getting slimmer and slimmer. This is not to suggest that the Asians will have no chance at all, but that they are not expected to take much of a momentum going into the premier tournament.
