Defeat may have bruised pride but not more (2 June 1999)

2 June 1999

Defeat may have bruised pride but not more

Mark Baldwin

LONDON, June 1: Bangladesh were being quoted at 33-1 in some quarters to beat Pakistan at Northampton, so there may well be many people today, both in Asia and England, still celebrating their decision to back the underdogs.

Cynics, of course, will start their whisperings again about match-fixing but Wasim Akram's side had nothing to play for in the match - and any sportsman finds it difficult to raise himself for such an event when he knows that far sterner tests lie in wait ahead.

The 62-run defeat took some of the gloss off Pakistan's previously imperious progress through this World Cup. But, still, they go through to the Super Six stage with a maximum four points carried forward - and, realistically, needing just one more victory to ensure participation in the semi-finals.

Things, though, will be hotting up from now on in. Pakistan face a clash of the titans, with South Africa, on Saturday - and then a potentially explosive encounter with India next Tuesday.

As a sort of back stop, however, they have the comfort of knowing that the game against Zimbabwe on June 11 will be on a good pitch at The Oval. Should Pakistan still need two points for semi-final qualification at that stage then I shouldn't think the bookmakers need fear a further upset.

Wasim was more than a little shame-faced as he watched the Bangladeshis jumping for joy at their historic victory - a result, of course, which takes them a giant stride nearer their immediate aim of full Test status. I would expect that to be ratified in the near future, and even without their shock Northampton result I think Bangladesh were in a very strong position. It will be good for world cricket for Bangladesh to be upgraded - and, while Jagmohan Dalmiya and the ICC are about it - I would promote Kenya to Test status too.

It was interesting to see both Pakistan and South Africa - the World Cup's two outstanding teams to date - faltering in their final group matches. Both clearly eased off mentally, with qualification for the Super Six assured, and in South Africa's case it cost them two extremely important points.

The underrated Zimbabweans not only go through with the maximum four points, like Pakistan, but also eliminated England! The shock waves of England's failure are still buffeting the country here.

The brutal truth for English cricket fans, though, is that - apart from Darren Gough - there were no cricketers in the squad with enough charisma and talent to be ranked as world class.

Graeme Hick and Graham Thorpe still fall short of that assessment, while Mark Ramprakash - England's best technically-equipped batsman - was not even picked! The rest of the world should shed no tears for the host country's sad exit. England didn't deserve anything.

Zimbabwe have been fortunate, but they have also worked hard and never given up. And what has been overlooked here is that they were beaten by England at Trent Bridge only after losing a crucial toss and being forced to bat first in conditions which initially favoured the seam bowlers.

If Alastair Campbell had won the toss that day then it could have been England struggling for runs. Under pressure against South Africa and India, England's batsmen were truly exposed.

India and Australia are now the chief threats to Pakistan and South Africa - but, due to a mistake in tournament planning, one of them is due to have their ambitions thwarted before the Super Six stage is barely up and running.

The very first Super Six match brings together India and Australia, and as both begin the stage with no points carried forward it is, in effect, an eliminator.

A team will have to be very fortunate indeed to scrape into fourth place in the final Super Six table with just four points (ie two wins from five matches).

I think that the winner of the India v Australia game will go on to qualify for the semi-finals, leaving either Zimbabwe or New Zealand to fight it out for the other place in the last four alongside Pakistan and South Africa.

Some commentators here have criticised the concept of sides taking forward group points (pointing out, in particular, the apparent anomaly of Zimbabwe carrying through four points even though they finished third) but I don't agree. I think the excitement, and unpredictability, of the final weekend of group matches proved how well the format worked. Every match, except the Pakistan v Bangladesh encounter, counted in the overall scheme of things.

Pakistan must now regain the concentration and focus which was such a mark of their first four World Cup matches - and I believe they will. The Bangladesh defeat will have bruised pride, but soon it will be forgotten.

Abdur Razzaq and Yousuf Youhana will both be fully fit for Saturday's match against South Africa, following leg muscle strains, and both have important roles to play.

I was surprised Wajahatullah Wasti was not given a game against Bangladesh - because I feel he might be a better bet than Shahid Afridi at the top of the order.

Saeed Anwar missed a golden opportunity to spend some time at the crease at Northampton - but perhaps a change in his fortunes is just around the corner. Saeed is surely too good a player not to leave his imprint on this tournament.

The key, as ever, to Pakistan's chances is the ability of their bowlers to dismiss or restrict the opposition. And, apart from Azhar Mahmood, who still seems not to have settled, the bowling attack is in prime form. It's going to be exciting!

Source :: The Dawn (www.dawn.com)