‘Mission impossible’ remained unsuccessful for Pakistan against Bangladesh, however it was a one-sided match with 94-run victory against Bangladesh on Friday, courtesy Babar Azam (96), Imam ul Haq (100) and Shaheen Afridi (6/35). Pakistan were required to beat Bangladesh by 300-plus runs to reach the semifinals round and with this match Pakistan’s campaign for the World Cup 2019 also came to an end.
After some initial mishaps and a wash out against Sri Lanka, Pakistan roared back into the tournament like a lion and rampaged all their opponents. Pakistan’s elimination from the World Cup despite killing some giants and New Zealand’s reaching semis in spite of mostly routing minnows have made cricket fans’ head spinning over the criteria of net run rate. People are simply not loving it. This has also raised eyebrows of some cricket greats and they want the International Cricket Council to review and reform this rule.
“Pakistan is the only team which has the potential to deliver magical performance on any given day and its not playing semifinals is misfortune of the mega event itself… I am deeply hurt,” commentator and former Pakistani player Ramiz Raja said in his YouTube video ‘Ramiz Speaks’.
Pakistan are more dangerous and Kiwis are the weakest in the semifinals.
New Zealand won only one match from matches against top six ODI sides, that is South Africa.
Pakistan won three matches from matches against top six ODI sides, that is England, South Africa and New Zealand.
New Zealand got one point for wash out against No2 team. Pakistan got one point for wash out against No8 team. New Zealand lost last three games while Pakistan was on a winning spree with victories in last four matches. Both the teams have 11 points. Pakistan are only lacking in run rates.
Commentator and former South African cricketer Graeme Smith wrote on his Twitter account, “I hate net run rate.” Former English cricketer Kevin Pietersen asked him if he had any other solution for this.
One cricket fan has suggested to field Pakistan and New Zealand in an extra match to decide which team should go into semis.
Former English batsman Michael Vaughan said, “Net Run Rates are utter garbage.”
According to a Pakistani journalist ex-West Indian fast bowler Michael Holding had said, “Pakistan should be in the semi-finals if they beat Bangladesh. NRR should be the last thing to consider. If points and wins are equal then the result between both teams should be deciding factor. Since Pakistan beat New Zealand they should be in the semi-finals.”
According to My Nation: Holding said the ICC should look at head-to-head record in the group stage if two teams are tied on same points. If Pakistan beat Bangladesh then they will be tied with the Kiwis on 11 points each.”
Shoaib Akhtar said the system of net run rate was beyond his understanding.
Twitteriites also fume over net run rate thing:
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