Its Prediction Time
The quarter-final line-up has been finally settled. The matches in the league did not exactly fit into any pattern. But they did show that the unpredictable can happen in a matter of overs. New Zealand's 92 run blast in 4 overs against Pakistan, India's 29/9 collapse against South Africa or West Indies fading away against England. All showed that games can turn around in a matter of few balls. There are enough players who can take the game away from any opposition at any time. Someone like Zaheer Khan can turn it in just one magical ball (Andrew Strauss & Devon Smith will certainly vouch for this). All this just shows that predicting the winners on a given day isn't an easy task. So here are my predictions for the 4 Quarter-Finals.
QF1 - Pakistan vs West Indies
Predicting a Pakistan game is like predicting the unpredictable. On the plus side, they have a well rounded bowling attack with all kinds of bowlers available to them and a deep batting lineup with Razzaq coming in at No. 8. On the minus, they have Kamran Akmal behind the stumps (enough said). Add general pathetic fielding and a top order which does not provide any confidence. Against them are the West Indies, who have collapsed from eminently winnable positions against England & India. Roach and Gayle can change the game on their own though.
Prediction - Pakistan should win. (or Kamran Akmal drops a catch of Gayle who the unleashes mayhem, then any result can happen)
QF2 - India vs Australia
Australia are the enemy No. 1 in the eyes of the Indian cricket fan. They have a real FAST bowling attack and Shane Watson. Apart from that they have Ponting's tantrums and a hopeless spin attack. India on the other hand have a much vaunted batting lineup, which tends to collapse after the 40th over, and Zaheer Khan. India have done every thing they could to make sure that they are not considered as favorites by anyone. But they are still the bookies favored ones to win the Cup.
Prediction - India to win. (I am an Indian, what else would I say?)
QF3 - New Zealand vs South Africa
Seemingly the easiest of the lot to predict. South Africa to stroll to a win. They have better batsman, better fast bowlers, and surprisingly even better spinners than New Zealand. But this is a knock out stage and they have a tendency to, umm... choke (:P) (On the other hand they might have taken care of that choke against England). And if something like 92 runs in 4 overs happens, then who knows.
Prediction - South Africa
QF4 - Sri Lanka vs England
Sri Lanka playing in Sri Lanka. They should win. But they are up against England who have proved to be the real jokers of the tournament. Had 6 close games when quite a few others barely had 1. The teams they lost to did not qualify for the knock-out while having an unbeaten record against those which did. And they have provided 6 entertaining games on the trot.
Prediction - Sri Lanka (though want England to win for the sheer entertainment they have provided)
Disclaimer: I am no octopus, just a mere mortal human being. So I could be wrong :)
Nishant, in all your predictions, there is not a single upset. Sure if India beats Australia, it will be a lower ranked team beating a higher ranked team, but whoever wins that game, it will not be called an upset. I find it difficult to believe that we can go through 4 tough games in a row without seeing a single upset. And the teams who I think are capable of creating that upset are West Indies and England! One of them will be in the semifinals - that's my guess!
ReplyDeleteLet us see which one of us turns out to be closer to the Octopus family! :)
Hi Shridhar,
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't be an upset if you are predicting it right:)