"Pakistan are always the dark horse and they can spring a surprise or two" : Adam Gilchrist

[MenInG]

Adam Gilchrist "England, Australia, India and Pakistan are potential teams to reach the World Cup semi-finals. Pakistan are always the dark horse and they can spring a surprise or two" #Cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) September 10, 2018

[troodon]

NZ are the perennial dark horses.

[MoJoJoJo]

Australia, India and England are favorites for the top three spots. For the last spot, its a tie between Pakistan, New Zealand and Saffers imo.

[saeed5646]

NZ are the perennial dark horses.

For the semi final only

[Hasan123]

England and India should get through. The other 2 slots are open.

[Ab Fan]

Spot on from Gilly. Pakistan to start as favourites IMO.

[El Generico]

For the semi final only

They made the final in the last WC.

[TeymurBlake]

I personally wouldn't rate Australia's chances too highly. I don't think they will have a good campaign.

[RedwoodOriginal]

Couldn't agree more

[ads101]

Need to get rid of this dark horses tag. If we can rise up the rankings and consistently win, maybe people will consider us favourites rather than just a dark horse.

[Mamoon]

Lazy and generic insight here, nothing to look into.

[Kohli, The King of Chase]

Everyone are ignoring NZ easily. They're the most well rounded team I would say. Attacking Openers, Accumulators, Finishers, Pace and Spin all rounders, Wicket taking pacers and spinners.


For me these three teams will easily make it to the semis

India, England, New Zealand, ????

Fourth spot would be between Aus/ Pak/ Sa

Australia: Depends how well they gel and start performing as a team after the comeback of their 4(Smith, Warner, Hazelwood, Cummins)

Pakistan: Depends how hungry and motivated they're and when they gain momentum. Above all, they need a kick on the back to start rolling. First 2 matches are against Windies and England. If they lose both in an embarrassing way, may be they'd become hungry and passionate and, thrash every team(6/ remaining 7) that comes their way.

South Africa: Not sure how memtally strong the new team is. Depends, how they play spin. Most teams will throw atleast 20 overs of spin to them. Also form of Amla would matter a lot. Can't depend a lot on newbies and oldies like Duminy.

[Aman]

Everyone are ignoring NZ easily. They're the most well rounded team I would say. Attacking Openers, Accumulators, Finishers, Pace and Spin all rounders, Wicket taking pacers and spinners.


For me these three teams will easily make it to the semis

India, England, New Zealand, ????

Fourth spot would be between Aus/ Pak/ Sa

Australia: Depends how well they gel and start performing as a team after the comeback of their 4(Smith, Warner, Hazelwood, Cummins)

Pakistan: Depends how hungry and motivated they're and when they gain momentum. Above all, they need a kick on the back to start rolling. First 2 matches are against Windies and England. If they lose both in an embarrassing way, may be they'd become hungry and passionate and, thrash every team(6/ remaining 7) that comes their way.

South Africa: Not sure how memtally strong the new team is. Depends, how they play spin. Most teams will throw atleast 20 overs of spin to them. Also form of Amla would matter a lot. Can't depend a lot on newbies and oldies like Duminy.

Nah, we're an inferior India with the same issues except our middle and lower order is probably a lot worse.

[Usman Chadda]

Need to get rid of this dark horses tag. If we can rise up the rankings and consistently win, maybe people will consider us favourites rather than just a dark horse.

While we all would like to see that happen, Pakistan has never done well with the favourites tag.

[The Googly]

Lazy and generic insight here, nothing to look into.

One of these days you will post something positive that is devoid of negativity, bitterness and sarcasm and will bring a smile to the reader rather then annoyance.

[ads101]

While we all would like to see that happen, Pakistan has never done well with the favourites tag.

Can not remember a time we were favourites lol. I don't recall a time when we entered a tournament and were considered the strongest team and favourites to win like Australia have done, and India have done over the last eight years or so.

People look at our side sometimes and see the talent, hence give us a good shot at winning. But never really label us proper favourites as even with the most talented team we aren't beating top teams consistently home, away and in tournaments.

As I've said before I don't think we can say we're a top team yet despite the CT win. We just don't win enough home and away yet. But this team is genuinely the most talented I've seen from Pakistan. I think we overrated a lot of guys before, but this time it's different, these guys are backing it up with performance, you've got guys average 50 with the bat, or in the 20s with the ball, with some leading the rankings. There's little reason why this team can't break into the top 4, our players have enough ability and the team is well rounded enough to make it happen. And after a long wait finally we're actually showing something with the bat, not just the ball.

[Flat_Track_Bully]

We are no longer dark horses. We are favourites, a heavyweight with pedigree.

Somebody needs to tell Gilchrist this isn't 2007 anymore. Australia are rank outsiders.

[Syed1]

Can't believe some folks still rank Australia as favourites.

[Plumb]

Long way to go before making these predictions. With Smith and Warner out they may look like a weak team but no matter what happens Aussies always play tough cricket, so time 'll tell.

[Stalin]

When smith and Warner come back to the team and to their full potential, Australia would become the strongest team , may be on par with England. It's amazing how much people on PP are undermining the Aussie team and their mettle especially at the world cups. With the top three of Warner Finch an Smith and a power-packed middle order with Maxwell Marsh Stoinis Carey etc. And potentially the best bowling attack with Starc Cummins and Hazlewood...I'd say Australia are going to shock a lot of people.. atleast on this forum 10 months from now.

[Hasan123]

Once Australia have there top players back of course they will be a threat. But there middle order is a worry for them. The players they have selected haven't convinced.

[Deewana Mastana]

Gilly putting Pakistan up on the pedestal only for the fans to start going gaga over this.