Re: "I consider Pakistan serious contenders for next year’s World Cup" - Rameez Raja
I can't see a team with Ponting in it getting beaten now or anytime soon with the form he is in. Plus then u got gilly. hussey,martyn symonds, the list never ends. and to say the least warne will play as he is planning to come out of retirement for the odi's for the world cup.
Aussies are huge favourites. 2 India (Sachin is the key but a good strength lineup, watch out for mh s dhoni) 3 England (Flintoff and Pieterson remain the key) 4 South Africa (Key lies in Kallis but good depth and several strong hitters) 5 New Zealand (several big hitters and capable of chasing down a big score as seen in the recent series against aussis) 6 Pakistan (need akhtar bowling well and afridi batting higher, then they are a real chance. but for now they aren't) 7 West Indies (revolves around Lara, and bravo, have massive ability) 8 Bangladesh (will do some damage and shock some teams)
I have said earlier as well that you should have posted all this 2 years ago. Australia is not the same side anymore.
They have lost 7 ODI's from their last 20, in comparison to Pakistan who have lost 6 from their last 20.
They were almost beaten by NZ in the 3 match ODI series where they could manage to win a match merely by 2 runs after scoring 322 and than they lost the next match to NZ after scoring 331.
In the VB series in their own backyard, they were threatened by a team which has failed to qualify for ICC champions trophy. After 8 years of undefeated record in VB series/World series best of 3 finals, Srilanka beat them in one of the finals and took the competition to the 3rd final, for the first time in 8 years.
They managed to lose the ODI series against Saffies in grand style. After breaking the 10 year old record of highest socre in an ODI innings, they couldn't hold it for 5 hours.
Obviously that doesn't mean that they are not the best team. Its just that they are not the invincibles anymore and can be beaten by Bangladesh, can by bullied by Srilanka, NZ, South Africa and most importantly they can lose the Ashes.
By the way did they manage to win the second biggest tournament after World Cup i.e. ICC , last time?
So don't get dishearten if you dont see Ponting holdng the WC 07 trophy next year.
P.S. what happened to your prediction of England beating Pakistan 3-0. Was it painful to see them losing to Pakistan after they beat the crap out of Australia in Ashes.