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