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The burden of history and the redemptive forces of hope will come into play when Pakistan and the West Indies compete against each other in the ICC World Cup's first quarterfinal at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium here on Wednesday.
Both Pakistan and the West Indies have slid down over the last decade with money, or the lack of it, often being central to the theme of chaos. From the glory days under Imran Khan in 1992 when the Cup was won in Australia, Pakistan has slumped despite its talent. Last year's spot-fixing saga, for a few pounds more at Lord's, has shadowed the team like an unwanted whisper.
The West Indies meanwhile lost its swagger while athletic youth migrated to other sports and countries in search of a better lifestyle. After Vivian Richards bowed out the assembly line almost dried up, though Brian Lara, Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose waved the flag of greatness.
Darren Sammy's men now have the unenviable task of scripting victories and offering dreams to a tropical paradise.
Enriching experience
The World Cup so far as been an enriching experience for Pakistani fans as Shahid Afridi's men have regained a modicum of faith. A quarterfinal berth was perhaps set in stone given that Zimbabwe, Kenya and Canada were also part of the mix in Group A, but there is no denying the chutzpah that Pakistan displayed in its stirring victories over Sri Lanka and Australia.
True to its ability to confound critics, Pakistan also plunged the depths against New Zealand and Kamran Akmal became the butt of ridicule over the Internet. Glitches do remain. The opening combine of Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad failed to fire and had to be dismantled.
Afridi's bat has stayed docile. Akhtar briefly hinted at menace and then injected pathos with his retirement announcement. And the senior duo of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq, after timely knocks against Kenya and Sri Lanka, have not imposed themselves.
Yet Pakistan has found its heroes. Afridi has sparkled with the ball, Umar Gul has struck early, Abdul Razzak has underlined his utility and youngsters like Asad Shafiq have had their moments. All that the team has to watch out for is its inexplicable ability to implode and if that failing does not surface, then Pakistan will fancy its chances against the West Indies.
Sammy, whose tone in the pre-match press conference hinged on the ‘tomorrow-is-another-day' philosophy, is better served by not looking back as his squad failed against South Africa, England and India while registering facile triumphs against Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands.
Chanderpaul back?
The captain, who read positive clues from the manner in which the injured duo of opener Chris Gayle and speedster Kemar Roach shaped up in the nets, is hoping that both will be fit. The recent melt-downs, especially losing eight wickets for 34 runs against India, might force Sammy to also think about recalling Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Ramnaresh Sarwan's tepid show and Kieron Pollard's sporadic explosions has increased the pressure on the likes of Devon Smith and Darren Bravo. Ravi Rampaul's five-wicket haul against India has pepped up the attack and left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn had grabbed four wickets here in his last outing.
The centre-square has yielded India's high of 370 as well as Bangladesh's anaemic 58 and for both Pakistan and West Indies, Wednesday presents another opportunity to chisel a pathway of optimism amidst the gloom in their respective cricketing structures.
The teams: West Indies: Darren Sammy (captain), Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Devon Thomas (wicketkeeper), Devon Smith, Sulieman Benn, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Devendra Bishoo, Nikita Miller, Kirk Edwards and Andre Russell.
Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal (wicketkeeper), Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Ahmed Shehzad, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar and Junaid Khan.
Umpires: Billy Bowden and Steve Davis; Third umpire: Daryl Harper; Match referee: Chris Broad.
Match starts at 2 p.m. (IST)
Both Pakistan and the West Indies have slid down over the last decade with money, or the lack of it, often being central to the theme of chaos. From the glory days under Imran Khan in 1992 when the Cup was won in Australia, Pakistan has slumped despite its talent. Last year's spot-fixing saga, for a few pounds more at Lord's, has shadowed the team like an unwanted whisper.
The West Indies meanwhile lost its swagger while athletic youth migrated to other sports and countries in search of a better lifestyle. After Vivian Richards bowed out the assembly line almost dried up, though Brian Lara, Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose waved the flag of greatness.
Darren Sammy's men now have the unenviable task of scripting victories and offering dreams to a tropical paradise.
Enriching experience
The World Cup so far as been an enriching experience for Pakistani fans as Shahid Afridi's men have regained a modicum of faith. A quarterfinal berth was perhaps set in stone given that Zimbabwe, Kenya and Canada were also part of the mix in Group A, but there is no denying the chutzpah that Pakistan displayed in its stirring victories over Sri Lanka and Australia.
True to its ability to confound critics, Pakistan also plunged the depths against New Zealand and Kamran Akmal became the butt of ridicule over the Internet. Glitches do remain. The opening combine of Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad failed to fire and had to be dismantled.
Afridi's bat has stayed docile. Akhtar briefly hinted at menace and then injected pathos with his retirement announcement. And the senior duo of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq, after timely knocks against Kenya and Sri Lanka, have not imposed themselves.
Yet Pakistan has found its heroes. Afridi has sparkled with the ball, Umar Gul has struck early, Abdul Razzak has underlined his utility and youngsters like Asad Shafiq have had their moments. All that the team has to watch out for is its inexplicable ability to implode and if that failing does not surface, then Pakistan will fancy its chances against the West Indies.
Sammy, whose tone in the pre-match press conference hinged on the ‘tomorrow-is-another-day' philosophy, is better served by not looking back as his squad failed against South Africa, England and India while registering facile triumphs against Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands.
Chanderpaul back?
The captain, who read positive clues from the manner in which the injured duo of opener Chris Gayle and speedster Kemar Roach shaped up in the nets, is hoping that both will be fit. The recent melt-downs, especially losing eight wickets for 34 runs against India, might force Sammy to also think about recalling Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Ramnaresh Sarwan's tepid show and Kieron Pollard's sporadic explosions has increased the pressure on the likes of Devon Smith and Darren Bravo. Ravi Rampaul's five-wicket haul against India has pepped up the attack and left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn had grabbed four wickets here in his last outing.
The centre-square has yielded India's high of 370 as well as Bangladesh's anaemic 58 and for both Pakistan and West Indies, Wednesday presents another opportunity to chisel a pathway of optimism amidst the gloom in their respective cricketing structures.
The teams: West Indies: Darren Sammy (captain), Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Devon Thomas (wicketkeeper), Devon Smith, Sulieman Benn, Ravi Rampaul, Kemar Roach, Devendra Bishoo, Nikita Miller, Kirk Edwards and Andre Russell.
Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal (wicketkeeper), Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Ahmed Shehzad, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar and Junaid Khan.
Umpires: Billy Bowden and Steve Davis; Third umpire: Daryl Harper; Match referee: Chris Broad.
Match starts at 2 p.m. (IST)