India, the best team in QFs : Mark Waugh

Mark Waugh is of the opinion that it was India who was the best team to participate in QFs.

The best match in the QFs was the match between Aus and Ind. And the worst match was Pak - WI encounter. Pressure took the upper hand in the match SA vs NZ. SA were touted as a balanced side and a side fancied to win the WC. It was unfortunate that they choked.

That SL cannot be defeated in Fortress Lanka was learnt by England belatedly !

Ind was the team which withstood pressure and rose to the occasion. Everybody had written off India, when they were 187/5. But the determination of Raina and Yuvraj brought home the bacon. Four other teams, some of them reckoned as formidable, were out of the tournament. Even though Ponting played a scintillating knock, Aus were behind by 20 runs. 261 was chasable and India did it in style.

It was the second spell of Zaheer which was responsible for Aussies scoring less than 261. Yuvraj's innings was another example of Ind exploiting opportunities. Yuvraj was a bit suspect in the initial stages, but when he middled that ball and got some fours, his self confidence returned, to the discomfiture of the Aussies !

SA was reckoned as a team which could win the Cup, because of her all round ability. Particulary as the Kiwis were restricted to 221. Batting under pressure made them choke again. History repeated itself. It is of no use, doing a post mortem of the match. The curse that the Proteas cannot chase respectable scores haunt them like an old family resident spectre.

Wi performance was that of a club side. But I suspect about Pak's ability to win by ten wickets ! But this win has catapulted the Pak morale. That is why experts and bookies consider them as a force next to India !

In the Mohali match, the question is whether India can bowl better or Pak can bat better. Also the team that overcomes pressure will win the match. I believe that India will emerge victors in this match.

It is not easy for NZ to defeat Lanka easily in Fortress Lanka. The Kiwis will be handicapped by the fact that they had not won a match in SL after 2003 ! If they cannot pull off a miracle, gone will be their dreams !