You're right that the results don't mean much, Nostromo, certainly for the teams playing against the real minnows. I don't see the Bangladesh v New Zealand result in the same light, however: there are two real cricket playing nations involved there. I think Bangladesh will be feeling very pumped by their win, and New Zealand will likewise feel they have suffered a bad defeat. Would have been the same if Zimbabwe had beaten Australia. All the other matches have gone to form, of course, and therefore serve no purpose other than warm-ups.

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Money won't buy you friends. But it gets you a better class of enemy.
Spike Milligan

In the match between Pakistan and Canada, though Pakistan won it, there is a worrying factor there.

Naved-ul-Hasan gave away 43 runs in 7 overs at an economy rate of 6.14. He got only one wicket. Afridi, who I believe is going to play an important role in the Pakistani bowling line-up, had an economy rate of 5.33. I am not sure how the wicket was, but these are certainly not good signs for Pakistan.

http://cricmagic.blogspot.com/2007/0...ve-reason.html

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My computer can beat me at chess.....but its no match for me at kick boxing.

I really don't believe that Pakistan's bowling attack is to be feared in this World Cup, and that they will have to set/chase immense totals. Without Akhtar, Asif and Razzaq they lose their best bowlers by some distance and their most experienced all-rounder. I wouldn't fear this attack if I were a world class batsman:

Sami
Gul
Anjum
Kaneria
Afridi
Hafeez/Malik

Afridi, who I believe is going to play an important role in the Pakistani bowling line-up, had an economy rate of 5.33.

Maybe Afridi wud help PAK in acceleating the score in some 3 out of the 9 scheduled matches with this huge hitting.Dont think he would be consistent in achieving that either.

He would NOT be any effective with the ball. His economy rate of 5.33 doesnt surprise me.

PAK in this WC is the weakest team on paper ever to play in a WC since maybe 1983.

People who can win matches for PAK are Yousuf & Inzy. They would enter the next round thx to the format. Had the format been same as 2003 WC, they would have made the exit in round 1 itself

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Tendulkar - A gift to the game of cricket

I agree that Pakistan's bowling attack is weak now, but do not underestimate Sami. The guy may not always come to the party, but he has talent and can be very dangerous if inspired.

He can, but how many times has he actually turned up and demonstrated his talent? I can barely think of a time he hasn't gone for runs and averaged 40+ with the ball in a series over the last couple of years at least. He's not in the same league as Shoaib or even Asif, and Pakistan will suffer for it. I'd say Gul is more of a threat but not by that much.

Well done Bangladesh the other day,i hope it knocks the Kiwis team spirit a bit for when they play us.

Other than that it would appear that Ireland and Kenya are the strongest of the minnow sides and are the ones to look out for for any shocks.

I'm not sure it means much, but Ireland thrashed Canada today, bowling them out inside 33 overs and then making the target of 116 for three wickets inside 27 overs.

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Money won't buy you friends. But it gets you a better class of enemy.
Spike Milligan

Yeah, but the 'knock' could be a double-edged sword. Remember what happened when Kenya beat the West Indies back in 1996? The Windies got riled enough to thrash Australia in the next match!