It was a miserable start and one to forget for both Pakistan and West Indies in the on-going World Cup. Both teams lost at the cost of putting a dent on their mindset going forward and in a disparate manner. While Pakistan lost to arch-rivals India by 76-runs at the Adelaide Oval where the Misbah-Ul-Haq led side got their tactics wrong, West Indies were in for a different sort of misery as they went down to minnows Ireland.
Both teams entered the mega event having lost players due to injuries in Pakistan’s case and strange choices by the selectors in West Indies’ case.
Former players lambasted Pakistan’s ill-prepared attempt at chasing India’s 301 run target.. Waqar, renowned for his yorkers, did vow that the team would make a comeback against the West Indies and called for the batsman to do better when they take on the 1975 and 1979 World Cup winners.
Waqar making his second stint as Pakistan coach added that the strategy employed against India to use Younus Khan — a dependable middle-order batsman— as an opener failed.
There are high chances of genuine wicket-keeper Sarfaraz Ahmed making his World Cup debut with stand-in Umar Akmal giving up the gloves.
Despite putting on a target of 305 runs which would be difficult to get for any team, Ireland were able to do so with 25-balls to spare. While the 304 runs scored does seem to highlight a strong batting, it was anything but. Struggling at 87/5, Darren Sammy (89) and lendl Simmons (102) were awake to make it a difficult task for Ireland — a task they accomplished in the end.