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Earlier, I wrote an analysis on the Pool A, one of the four Pools of the upcoming World Cup Cricket 2007. Now, I am going to write on the Pool B where two former world cup champions India and Sri Lanka are going to play along with Bangladesh, a test playing nation, and Bermuda, an associate member of ICC (who does not have test status). Pool B is one of the two Pools which include three test playing countries. So, it seems that upsets are more likely to happen in these two Pools (Pool B and Pool D).

At the beginning, I would like to say that India and Sri Lanka are favorites to go in to the Super Eight stage from this pool. However, I will not be astonished if Bangladesh can cause any upset in this pool. Bangladesh has some promising young players who are doing well in the international level consistently. Shahriar Nafees, the left handed opener for Bangladesh cricket team, has been the first Bangladeshi cricketer who scored one thousand runs in a calendar year in 2006. This 21 year batsman is now the vice captain of team Bangladesh in World Cup Cricket 2007. His ODI average is now 41, a rare feat in Bangladesh cricket team and he is the only Bangladeshi batsman who has four ODI centuries. Moreover, Aftab Ahmed, Mohammad Ashraful and the young all rounder Saqibul Hasan can play a vital role for the success of the team. You may know that Ashraful is still the record holder of the youngest centurion in Test cricket. Aftab Ahmed, the one down batsman, is capable of destroying any bowling side in his day. All rounder Saqibul Hasan got his debut in 2006 and has played only 20 ODI matches but already proved his class having maintained a batting average of 55.25 and a bowling average of 26.54. For bowling department, Bangladesh will rely on fast bowler Mashrafe Mortaza and veteran left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique, who is now 36 and the most experienced player in the team. For Mashrafe Mortaza, the last season was tremendous as this fast bowler became the highest wicket taker of 2006 in ODI cricket with 49 wickets. So, I think you can find many reasons to bet on the Bengal tigers in this world cup. However, the exclusion of the veteran wicket keeper Khaled Masud was a wrong decision and that is why, Bangladesh may suffer for the wicket keeping position. In addition, another week side of the team is that very recently they did not play against any cricket powers and most of the young in form cricketers have less experience against the big teams.

On the other hand, Bermuda will play their first world cup. It is barely possible for them to make any upset in the world cup though very recently they defeated Scotland in the ICC World Cricket League 2007. I think the captain Irvine Romaine and all-rounder Lionel Cann will play the vital role for Bermuda in the world cup. Compared to batting their bowling line up is very week and I have not seen any consistency among the Bermudian bowler. However, Saleem Mukuddem may lead their bowling line up in the world cup.

Now, let’s have a look at the two cricket powers of the Pool B- Sri Lanka and India. For India, I think it would be their middle order batsmen and fast bowlers upon whom their success will depend on. Though they have experienced Yuvraj Singh in the middle of their batting line up, I could not find any one for number six and seven in the batting order who can build the innings. Yes, you may think about Mahendra Singh Dhoni but I think, he is better for the slog over or for the power plays instead of the middle order. Dinesh Karthik can be an option for number six but he is not so experienced and not capable of taking singles during the middle of the innings which is badly needed for a middle order batsman. Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid- much will depend on them. It is the last world cup for these 3 great Indian batsmen. I feel that Ganguly may continue his good form.

 For bowling department, I think it is Zaheer Khan who can contribute a lot to the success of India in the world cup. Sreesanth and Munaf Patel are very young and do not have much experience. Irfan Pathan, the makeshift bowling all-rounder, is not in a good form so it would not be safe to predict anything regarding this Baroda speed star. Indian spin bowling is always good but we have to wait and see how they perform in West Indies pitches.

On the other hand, for Sri Lanka, the fast bowler Lasith Malinga, wicket keeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara, all rounder Farveez Maharoof, legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and veteran all rounder Sanath Jayasuria can play the vital role. Jayasuria can take some extra runs during the power plays. Sangakkara is the most in form and consistent batsman in the team. Young cricketer Chamara Silva can be a surprise performer in the world cup as he is full of potential. Moreover, the long-served fast bowler Chaminda Vaas and captain Mahela Jayawardene can play a vital role with their experience. The only problem with the Sri Lankan team is the lack of consistency among the players.

So, I feel that India and Sri Lanka will capture the two top spots and move into the Super Eight stage.