Pakistan looks ahead to cricketing extravaganza!

With the ICC 2011 Cricket World Cup just a few days away, the nation is caught up in the euphoria of crazy expectations and predictions ranging from the players to the teams participating in the mega event.

Everyone has their own superstar and a favourite teams albeit a child or an elderly. The fever of the World Cup has brought life back to the streets and grounds of the country which were barren from a long time.

Though the World Cup was shifted from Pakistan, yet cricket fanatics in Pakistan are eagerly displaying their love for the team.

The ‘News on Sunday’ conducted a survey to build a general opinion from different people about which teams are favourites to lift the crown this time.

And apart from many answers recieved, there was a general consensus amongst cricket fanatics that arch-rivals India will not be able to win the World Cup. Still many people, putting rivalry aside, were putting their money on India to become the first team to win the World CUp on their home soil.

And while the heartbeat remains with Pakistan, many believe that either one of South Africa, England, Australia and Sri Lanka may come out on top.

Pakistan

Every Pakistani feels that their players will take the national side to World Cup glory given their passion towards their homeland. But, some had genuine reasons to support their thoughts and expectations.

Adeel Hashmi, a first-year commerce student said that Pakistan will win it as they start the campaign on a high after defeating New Zealand in the recent ODI series.

“We’ve just defeated New Zealand at their home so the morale of the boys will be high which, is necessary going into such a big event,” he said.

“There is a healthy combination in the team as they fought hard in spite all the controversies and uncertainty surrounding them in recent weeks.

“Shahid Afridi is leading the side and that’s the most positive thing because he is a fighter and can lead from front if he can keep his cool.

“If Afridi can repeat his heroics of Twenty20 winning World campaign than it will be very hard for any side to stop Pakistan from the triumph.

“Then we have Abdur Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez who hit the ball miles complimenting the steady likes of Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq and cool-headed Misbah-ul-Haq.”

Experts believe that Pakistan has one of the best spin bowling combination with Afridi, off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and left-arm orthodox spinner Abdur Rehman.

Hasan Ahmed, a local player, said he was convinced that the bowling department is the key for Pakistan.

“Our bowling will win us the World Cup,” he said.

ìWhen you look at our bowling department, there is a lot of variety available.

“We are no short of bowling options as except the regular bowlers we have Abdur Razzaq and Mohammad Hafeez who can share the burden if any bowler has an off-day.

“Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal are the best spin bowling duo, who can put the brakes with ease against the flow of runs.

“In Umar Gul, we have the most lethal fast bowler who can reverse swing the ball at pace.”

South Africa

Hammad Ahmed, an A-Levels student gave his vote to South Africa and said that they will finally get rid of chokers tag.

“Everyone thinks that they are chokers but I believe this will be their World Cup,” he said.

“This is the best ever Proteas side and they will finally break their semifinal jinx.

“Hashim Amla has scored so many runs coming into the tournament and Greame Smith is back in form as well. In addition AB De Villiers and JP Duminy are excellent players of spin so that will be an added advantage.”

South Africa have a very versatile bowling attack and Hammad believes that it will only raise their chances to get one over their opponents.

“South Africa are usually short of decent spinners but that is not the case. They have Johan Botha and unknown commodity leg-spinner Imran Tahir who can turn out to be their trump card.

“Then the pace of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel can be devastating for any opposition.

“So I have every right reason to believe that South Africa will be World Champion come April 2.”

England

The English Lions have got better and better after the T20 Triumph in West Indies which has made them strong title challengers though they had to suffer a hiccup going into the World Cup as they lost to Australia after the retaining the Ashes. But people believe that the loss will not be a problem and it was due to complacency as England wanted to reserve their tanks for the mega event.

Ahsan Ahmed, a student of Public Administration department of Karachi University is backing England to add another crown in their cabinet.

“England will certainly follow their T20 World Cup triumph with an ODI World Cup this time.

“I have not seen such an amazing combination in any team which was inevitable the way players fought in Ashes.

“Their main aim was to win Ashes -- ODI series was not played with high spirits which, must have been a part of strategy.

“In Graeme Swann they have currently the best off-spinner in the world.

“They have good all-rounders in Paul Collingwood, Luke Wright, Stuart Broad and Michel Yardy.

“Kevin Pietersen and James Anderson are proven match winners.”

Australia

Ricky Ponting’s Australia are also being backed by fans after they ran out comfortable winners in the ODI series against England after a humiliating Ashes loss.

Saqib Alauddin and Maimoona Saqib, a couple both backed Australia.

“They will go on to win the World Cup because they have just defeated England which shows that their players have character and know their way to victory,” Saqib said.

“The Aussies have won their matches when they were down and out so that shows how much resolute they are when it comes to handling pressure.”

Meanwhile his wife had other reasons.

“Brett Lee is back in the squad so that will provide that cutting edge to the Aussies.

“Though he has lost his pace a bit but he still has the experience to setup victories.

“Ricky Ponting will also be looking to end his career on a high so World Cup triumph can be the best possible to finish a marvelous career.”

India

People just don’t want India to win but it would be unfair to count out such a powerful team which is boasted by wealth of talent.

In Virender Sehwag, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan they have players who can turn the match on its head with powerful hitting.

There is a shortage of words to describe little master Sachin Tendulkar who just continue to play on and on breaking every record coming in his way.

In addition players like Gautam Gamhir, Virat Kholi and Harbhajan Singh can come good too on their day.