Hammer time for Bangal Tigers - 15 of the last over inc 2 six.

Ali

Ali

Second shock of the day coming with Ireland, they are on 81-4 (27.2 overs) needing 133 to win - but apparently it's raining now, if D&L method comes into play Ireland win as they've already reached the 69 target needed.

Ali

5 Runs needed, 48 balls left, 3 wickets in hand.
hmmm... not looking good.
Looks like Bangladesh is going to have to represent the sub-continent in the Super Eight round.

I think Indian public need to visit Cricketers' houses (remember Indian team's performance in initial matches of 2003 world cup) in order to make them play .

3 runs, 42 balls, 3 wickets in hand

1 run needed, 35 balls left, 3 wickets in hand.
Match is tied, Ireland cannot lose this one.

Six Runs to end the match! Ireland win. Pakistan still has hopes, because I think the Zimbabwe - Ireland tie still keeps Pakistan in technically, but for all practical reasons, this might be the end.

India too has a big mountain to climb and which looks quite unlikely at this stage. Thus Bangladesh is the only one with any real hopes to keep the sub-continent flag flying.

Fantasic win for Ireland, in both matchs the better side won on merit

MAJOR CORRECTION to my post above:
Ireland is officially the first team to make it to the Super Eight round and unfortunately for Pakistan, World Cup 2007 is officially over for them.

India though, is still technically in. Basically, there are three scenarios under which India can move to the Super Eight round. The first one is where they control their own destiny, wherein they need to beat Sri Lanka and then beat Bermuda by a larger margin than what Sri Lanka beat them by but considering the huge margin that 'Sri Lanka' beat Bermuda by, the task for India looks quite daunting. The second scenario is; India wins both their matches and Bangladesh loses to both Sri Lanka and Bermuda. Highly unlikely if you ask me. The third scenario is; India win both their matches and Bangladesh beats both Sri Lanka and Bermuda, again although not beyond reason, but still very unlikely. Bottom line for India is that whichever scenario works out, the common thing is India has to win both it's remaing matches and then pray hard for either Bangladesh to beat Sri Lanka or for India to win their matches with huge margins.

Both matches have been boring today, looking like no upsets

Ali

Some sad news from the Pakistan camp, coach Woolmer has been rushed to the hospital;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket ... 464831.stm

Ali