Pool B of the World Cup is demonstrating that Cricket is indeed a game of glorious uncertainties

It's an intriguing situation in Pool B in the World Cup. India have already finished at the top, and are already in the quarter finals, irrespective of how they fare in their last match against Zimbabwe.

South Africa now play UAE on the 12th March, and a win will assure them a place in the quarter-finals. However, we all know how fickle they can be right at the most crucial time and squander an opportunity. Even if South Africa lose to UAE, they'd probably qualify, despite remaining at 6 points, which is equal to what Pakistan and Ireland have right now.

Pakistan & Ireland play their last match against one another and only two outcomes can happen - either, one of them will beat the other and get 8 points and qualify, or, the match will be rained out and both will get 1 point each and will settle at 7 points each, and both will qualify in that situation.

But let us consider the following situation - South Africa actually lose to UAE, and on the 15th March, West Indies beats UAE to also reach 6 points. That will leave India as the only nation that goes through clearly from Pool B, before the match between Pakistan and Ireland is decided later the same day. This will leave 4 teams on 6 points before that match - South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan and Ireland, and who goes through will finally be dependent on the Pakistan-Ireland match alone. Assuming, the Pakistan-Ireland match will have a result, the winner will go through leaving the other 3 teams to slug it out for the remaining 2 slots on their net run rate.

Technically, the Pakistan-Ireland tie is now a pre-quarter-final of sorts between them, but many other teams will be watching the match with bated breath, while chewing on their nails. If Ireland beat Pakistan to go through, it will be a huge upset - on the same lines as Pool A where yesterday Bangladesh pipped England to finish their world cup dream. This would mean that two strong test-playing nations would be ousted in the very first round by two minnows!

Cricket, as they say, is indeed a game of glorious uncertainties.

© Shailesh Nigam

Ireland - the giant killers arrive in style

Two different days, two different tales. While India crushed Pakistan in what was expected to be close contest yesterday, the story of the World Cup Tournament so far is not about the biggest rivalry in cricket. Today, a new page was turned in the book of cricket when unfancied Ireland chased a huge 300+ target with exceptional ease and over 4 overs to spare against 2 times world champions and one of the tournament favourites, West Indies.

Pool B - to which all these 4 teams belong - was supposed to have thrown up natural semi-finalists, India, South Africa, Pakistan and West Indies. Zimbabwe, UAE and Ireland were supposed to go down without even a fight. Ireland proved today that it is not so easy to write them off so soon. Even in the last world cup - with the O'Brien brothers leading their charge - they had announced their arrival on the world stage with aplomb. Today, they took their credibility many notches higher.

West Indies would've surely assumed that they had the match in their pocket after scoring 304. However, a great top order batting performance by Ireland made world class bowlers like Roach, Taylor, and company look totally pedestrian, and Ireland romped home with 4 wickets and 4 overs to spare. This was not just a win, it was a humiliating victory beyond comprehension.

Reminds me of 1983 when Kapil's Devils showed to the world that cricket can produce Davids who will not only take on Goliaths but also conquer them.

A look at the scorecard is telling. Chris Gayle - arguably the biggest hitter in world cricket - took took 65 balls to score a measly 36. Normally, he would had taken 36 balls to score 65! When he fell, West Indies were just 78 in 21.2 overs. Another 2 wickets meant that Windies had lost half their side for just 87. It was Simmons and Sammy who stood their ground and finally made a match of it.

Ireland chased it down without any hiccups, in the process making it one of the five successful chases of 300 in all World Cups. And... for those who didn't know, 3 of these 5 chases are by Ireland - 2 against test playing nations. Guess, it is the season of small guys winning against mighty giants!

© Shailesh Nigam