Rain, No Play

   

It's all set now. India will meet Pakistan in the first ever Twenty20 World Cup final. Today, Pakistan dumped New Zealand while India crashed Australia's party, sending them to their third loss of the tournament and back home. There are subplots to these two results namely New Zealand's failure again, following their semi final loss in the ODI World Cup, to make the big game, as well as Australia's stunning failures in a championship. The real story however is the big matchup between these two subcontinent foes, who earlier in the tournament played to a stunning tie that was decided in a bowl off which India won.

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Inzamam-Ul-Haq in 2006 courtesy of Peter Meade

In the wake of an emotional and gloomy week, Pakistan cricket had something to finally smile about as the team registered its sole victory at Cricket World Cup 2007. The thumping 93 run win over Zimbabwe sent beleaguered captain Inzamam-Ul-Haq out of ODI cricket in style.

Pakistan blasted its way to 349 with opener Imran Nazir smashing a career best 160 from 121 balls. Nazir's knock also included 8 sixes, tying Ricky Ponting's World Cup record set in the 2003 final against India. After a rain interruption, Zimbabwe's revised target of 192 was never within reach, as they eventually succumbed for 99 with Inzamam fittingly taking the final catch.  read more »

Bob Woolmer, 58, Pakistan's coach, was found collapsed in his hotel room this morning. He was later taken to the University Hospital of the West Indies in Jamaica where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death is not immediately known, but blood and vomit were found on the floor of his hotel room. Woolmer's death comes the day after Pakistan's shock defeat to Ireland. He was a cricketing innovator, being one of the first to use computer technology to map out batsmen's weaknesses. Woolmer will be missed dearly in the cricketing fraternity. Hopefully irate fans in Pakistan will realise that Woolmer's death is a greater loss than any cricket match.

In probably the most stunning day of cricket in World Cup history, Pakistan crashed out of the 2007 tournament at the hands of associate nation Ireland and favourites India were cut down by unfancied Bangladesh. India are now in serious danger of bowing out in the group stage.  read more »

At the new Sabina Park today, the West Indies comprehensively defeated the Pakistanis by 54 runs. Inzamam won the toss and wisely inserted the West Indies. For the first 40 overs it seemed as if his decision was correct and even match-winning, as the Windies had crawled to 156/3. However, some magnificent hitting by Marlon Samuels and man of the match Dwayne Smith carried the West Indies to 241/9. Then a magnificent bowling and fielding performance took the Windies home to victory.  read more »