Re: Is Pakistan the 2nd best team in the world? My foot.
Here's my take on the whole situation.
On any given day Pakistan can be given supreme status. In the first match of the champions trophy which most seem to forget, the Pakistanis, without Inzi Shoaib or Asif beat the Sri Lankan's handily. Sri Lanka did not have a good tournament either, but do note that they DID also win one match against a team Pakistan lost again. The second match was also in Pakistan's hand against New Zealand. If it wasn't for the poor captaincy in the last 10 overs of the New Zealand innings, The New Zealanders would have struggled to make 240. Pakistan made 228 and ended up losing by 50 odd runs because of 10 overs of the match. The last match against South Africa was a simple disaster. Actually, their bowlers did what they could, and probably would have done better given the pitch if we had Shoaib and Asif. South Africa took advantage of their amazing bowling attack and basically outclassed them in THAT match.
If you ask any team, they would not take Pakistan lightly on any given day. Teams take pride in beating Pakistan. Having said that, Pakistan is nor the 2nd best team nor the 6th best team. Even with Shoaib, Asif and Inzimam Pakistan has been known to struggle. Without the three, others have at times stepped up and at times not.
You all have to remember that Pakistan has been an inconsistent side for decades. They surprise others with their talent all the time, and at times surprise others of the lack of focus and commitment in a particular match or tournament.
Many say we miss Inzi now, but in these same forums in 2003 when Pakistan came back from South Africa at the World Cup, they were asking him to be dropped and never be brought back. Some were even asking for his retirement, and today we are all MISSING Inzi. Every team, every player has their days.
Australia has by far been the only CONSISTENT team Cricket has seen, followed by South Africa. India, England, New Zealand, Pakistan are all at between ranked 3-4, while West Indies shows signs of improvement at times. Remember, only some time ago Pakistan thrashed West Indies when they visited them and did the exact same thing to England when England visited Pakistan last year. As for India, Pakistan has won in India, and India has won in Pakistan. Go figure. And as for New Zealand, Pakistan has had excellent success against them as well apart from the champions trophy match in October. Pakistan also has not played Australia for ages, and definetely not on a tour of either country. If Pakistan were to play Australia given the current lineup plus shaoib, asif and Inzi, they would give the Aussies a run for their money hands down.
