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Earlier, I have written three articles on three Groups (Pool A, B, C) of ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. Now, I am going to write on Group D analyzing the strength and weak sides of the teams of this pool. This is one of two Pools where three Test Playing countries will participate. Pool D involves two former world cup winners West Indies and Pakistan along with test playing country Zimbabwe and ICC associate member country Ireland. I think that it is one of the easiest groups in World Cup Cricket and there is hardly any chance of any major upset in Group D.

Ireland became the runner up in the last ICC Trophy in 2005. They are one of the big powers outside the Test playing countries. Some Irish cricketers play in English county cricket too. They have some promising all rounders too who can play a vital role for Ireland. Two top order batsmen- William Porterfield, Eoin Morgan and middle order batsman Kevin O'Brien are the main strength of the batting line up of Ireland. Eoin Morgan played for Middlesex in English county cricket. Wicket keeper batsman Niall O'Brien also bats well and played for Kent in the county cricket. Ireland will have much hope on all rounders like Kyle McCallan, Andre Botha and Andrew White. Andrew White played in Northamptonshire in English county cricket. For bowling side I think it is Dave Langford-Smith who can lead the team with new ball. In the official warm up match of the World Cup Cricket 2007, Trent Johnston also showed some impressive performance with his pace bowling.

On the other hand, Zimbabwe cricket is now going through a very bad time due to having undue political influence on the running of cricket. Most of their regular players are now absent from the team and the present squad is very inexperienced in the international level. I will not be astonished if Ireland can defeat Zimbabwe in the world cup. However, it is true that there are some promising cricketers in the team who can do well in future after they get some experience. The problem is that almost all the players are very young and they do not have any player to learn. For example, Prosper Utseya, is just 21 year old and has played just one Test match and 59 ODI matches. He is a good off spinner and late order batsman. Among the batsmen, Vusi Sibanda, Brendan Taylor, Elton Chigumbura, Stuart Matsikenyeri can be handy. However, I think, the exclusion of the batsman Hamilton Masakadza was a wrong decision.

For West Indies, World Cup Cricket 2007 is a good chance to return to their past glory. They will have some advantages as the host country but their success would depend on some of the key players of the team. Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Captain Brian Lara will be the most important batsmen for the team. However, I think, all rounder Marlon Samuels and surprise inclusion Kieron Pollard can be surprise performer for West Indies. On the other hand, West Indian bowling seems to be their main weak side. Once, West Indian bowlers specially the fast bowlers were so dangerous that other teams were scared to go to the West Indies. Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Courtney Walsh were some of the rulers of world cricket who ruled over the batsmen in their time. The only thing that goes West Indies is that until now, no host country has won the championship of World Cup Cricket.

With Pakistan, anything is possible. They can shock you by losing an easy match and in the same way; they can make you astonished winning match from an impossible condition. Pakistan is not considered as a hot favorite for World Cup Cricket 2007. It is true that, they have lost their three best bowlers because of injury but still they have talented players. I think Pakistani middle order is the best at this moment in the world. Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is one of the six batsmen with ten thousand runs in ODI cricket. Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan are the most reliable batsmen for the team. The only problem is in the opening position. They lack some consistent batsman in the opening position. I think, Imran Nazir and Shahid Afridi should be sent to open the innings. Shahid Afridi is an all rounder and is a real destroyer with the bat who can take the maximum advantage of the power play. On the other hand, wicket keeper batsman Kamran Akmal should come in the middle order as he has good capability of taking singles and can play according to the situation. All rounder Shoaib Malik can be a good performer in the no. seven or in the one down as he is a stroke maker. However, I think, Danish Kaneria is the most important bowler of the squad and he needs to do well in World Cup. The pitch of West Indies is helpful for the spin bowlers. With the new ball, I would like to see Umar Gul and Mohammad Sami.

To conclude, I just like to say that Pakistan and West Indies are expected to advance to the Super Eight stage from Group D.