Semifinal hopes hang on Pakistan-Bangladesh clash
Are semifinals in sight for Pakistan? Their faint hope as they face Bangladesh. Ayaz Memon gives his take on the clash
Transcript
00:00 Hi, it's Ayaz Memon with the World Cup Update. Pakistan vs Bangladesh.
00:04 This is a match which both teams of course are in a dire situation.
00:09 Bangladesh virtually out of the running for a place in the semi-finals.
00:13 Pakistan have a sliver of a chance but they have to win all the remaining matches starting with this one.
00:18 And not just win their matches with a handsome run rate but they also have to wait and see how the results of other teams pan out.
00:26 There have to be some diabolical upsets for Pakistan to still make the cut and reach the semi-finals.
00:32 Not going to be easy. In fact, I personally think it's not likely.
00:36 Now, Pakistan perhaps the more disappointing of the two teams because when the tournament started they were doubtless amongst the top four teams likely to make the semi-finals.
00:45 Perhaps even go on to win the World Cup. That now seems extremely remote. Only a mathematical possibility exists.
00:52 That's because they have been so lackluster, performed so poorly. Below par in batting, bowling, fielding and the whole timidity of approach has cost them dear.
01:00 Bangladesh, you know, rocked by internecine issues and problems have just not looked the part.
01:07 In this match, obviously it's a World Cup match so there's a lot to play for. There's pride, there is points.
01:15 Remember, the teams will finish in the top seven, will play the Champions Trophy when it's held next. Pakistan will qualify as the host country.
01:24 But for Bangladesh, there's a lot to play for. In the last match against South Africa, Pakistan was very good.
01:29 They grappled, they battled hard, defending a modest score. All the attributes that were missing in the earlier matches, grit, determination, ambition, all came to the fore.
01:40 It just wasn't to be. A little luck didn't go their way in some of the umpiring decisions.
01:45 But then good teams make their own luck and Pakistan have not been a very good team, let's be honest.
01:52 In this match, of course, they still hold the upper hand because Bangladesh have been so poor.
01:56 But there's not much really to choose between the two teams, I would say, at this stage.
02:01 (upbeat music)