Player Clashes Provide Fodder To Media

Bangladesh upstaging England to enter the quarterfinals was the only unexpected change from the pre-tournament predictions of most cricket analysts.

The World Cup moves to the knockouts from Wednesday. From here on there are no second chances. There is a two-day break for the teams to chart out strategies for the business end of the tournament.

The last Sunday of the league phase had West Indies taking on the UAE before Pakistan met Ireland in a must-win game.

With an impending storm threatening to shorten the match, Jason Holder justifiably bowled first. Holder bowled his 10 overs on the trot and had the opposition in knots at 6 for 46. His lethal spell of short bowling proved unplayable for the UAE and he was ably supported by the ever reliable Jerome Taylor.

A late rearguard from Amjad Javed and Nasir Aziz helped set the fighting target of 175 for the West Indies, who, with the help of the composed Johnson Charles and Jonathan Carter, chased it down comfortably.

The match was marred by an avoidable incident within the West Indies team. Former captain Darren Sammy was visibly upset and sulking owing to his being taken off after bowling just one over. Holder was seen animatedly convincing his former skipper and things seemed to have been sorted out soon. These incidents played out in public provide fodder to the media to speculate about possible ‘rifts’ within the team and only cause to dampen the morale in the middle of the championship.

There can be few jobs more demanding than trying to lead the West Indies cricket team. You could probably count on one hand those who have been able to assume this role successfully, getting players to put team above self. To put things in perspective, you have to remember that each Caribbean island is in fact its own country, and only under the cricket flag of the West Indies do they unite as one.

I only hope good sense prevails and their performance in the field is not affected.

Once the West Indies had won, Pakistan and Ireland were in a virtual knockout. Ireland were anchored by skipper William Porterfield, who had steadily composed century at the top while none of his mates crossed 30.

Pakistan chased the target with ease with their openers conjuring their first century stand at the tournament. Ahmed Shehzad struck a fluent fifty but keeper Sarfaraz Ahmed needed help in scoring his maiden and the team’s first century of the tournament.

With the target almost in reach, Umar Akmal defended easy balls to ensure Sarfaraz reached his personal milestone. While much debate has been generated on this by commentators of the game, I personally feel that there being no pressure on scoring rates and net run rate challenges, it was fine with the players motivating one another in such situations.

The success of Sarfaraz has been the much-needed impetus for Pak and his inclusion in the team has brought about the right balance and the positive change.

Ireland started the tournament with huge promise following their win over West Indies and looked confident of progressing to the next stage. However they seemed lacking in the same spirit in their last match.