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THIRD EYE

Of dangerous hosts and worried Asians

Naimul Karim
At a time when Asia's top teams have been struggling in Australia and New Zealand, Pakistan's World Cup win in 1992 in the same region seems all the more remarkable. After yesterday's opener it seemed as though it was time to bid adieu to the Asian teams from the competition.
We did have a brilliant run back in 2011 when we spun the world with our turn and lack of bounce, but as far as heroic World Cup tales go there are high chances that we may have to elimi-
nate this year's mega event from our diaries; because there are tough times ahead.
The manner in which New Zealand thumped arguably the most consistent Asian cricketing side
yesterday was slightly surprising; not because it wasn't done before. The Lankans, after all, lost a series of matches against New Zealand prior to the World Cup. But when it comes to the mega event, come what may, you would expect the Lions to perform; because that's just their thing: reaching finals at will.
However, the Kiwis' total of 331, which is the second highest World Cup score against Sri Lanka since 1992, in a way, seems to be smashing that
theory apart.
Admittedly there is still plenty of time and it's too early for predictions, however, the signs for the sub-continent teams look ominous.
Hie other thought that kept rummaging in the head is how India remains the only host nation to have won the mega event. The manner in which both the hosts utilised their conditions yesterday, already began talks about a home-derby in the final. Who said hosting the World Gup would add extra pressure?
The ease with which Corey Anderson and Aaron Finch muscled their way to their respective innings depicted just how comfortable they were at the crease. The advantage that these players had over their opponents was quite visible. Sure enough there were a few jitters. Kane Williamson was dropped twice. Steven Smith's nervous shuffle across the crease cost him his wicket. But once the teams bailed out of the tough situations they got into their groove and looked like teams that were playing at their own den.
While Williamson stroked his way to a half-century, Smith took a superman-like catch which could be hard to match.
So while we all look forward to the epic India-Pakistan clash today, which by all its rights is bound to be a blockbuster in a stadium that is already sold-out, the true test for both these teams though is expected to be in the knockout stages where they are expected to take on the hosts.