Who'll be Crowned ICC Champions Trophy Winners?

[Saj]

Its the Aussies all the way for many, but the gap is closing as far as quite a few cricket fans around the globe are concerned.

Can anyone topple the Aussies, could there be a surprise winner as in the previous ICC Champions Trophy tournament ?

Who do you think will win the tournament and why ?

[infamous9383]

Sri Lanka will win it all because of their they have murali and sanath if even one of them fires good luck to rest of the world. Previously i picked Inzi's men but since he is not there Pakistan took a step back.

[Amjid Javed]

I fancy the sri lankas aswell, Conditions should suit them down to a tee. They have a very good spin bowling attack and are a strong fielding side. Also if their batting clicks then they definately will be close by when main prize is given out.

[PlanetPakistan]

BAN and ZIM should also be an option

Anyways i feel IND have a very good chance to make it to the final! PAK will probably not even make the semis! My pick for the title is......SL

[zMario]

Where's Bangladesh on this poll?

I am sure they can win this trophy, if they try hard, and don't give up!

THEY BEAT THE AUSSIES, WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT FROM BANGLADESH?!

In all reality, Pakistan all the way - Younis will captain us to victory if nothing else!

[PACE LIKE FIRE]

auss firm favorites

[PACE LIKE FIRE]

afterwards india

[PACE LIKE FIRE]

then pak or s/l

[PACE LIKE FIRE]

outside chance .......west indies

[Hash]

I'm going with my heart and saying Pakistan.

Even with my head we have an excellent chance. Say we go with this team (which is the most likely team Bob will go with)...

Farhat
Hafeez
Malik
Younis
Yousuf
Afridi
Razzaq
Kamran
Rana
Shoaib
Asif

There are 7 bowling options there....and have a look at that variety. Shoaib, Asif, Rana, Razzaq, Afridi, Malik and Hafeez! With the exception of Malik and Hafeez they are all very different bowlers. Everyone all the way down to 10 can hold his own with the bat and everyone down to 8 has a test century to their name.

Even as a fielding side we have Malik, Afridi, Younis and Hafeez who are very good fielders. Plus Asif and Rana who are decent fielders. It is up to the others to step up in this department.

The conditions will certainly favour us (along with India). Our players are very experienced in playing in these conditions. Those streaky edges which Mr Farhat gets in England will more often come off the middle and our bowlers are also more use to bowling on these wickets than those from other countries.

I have little doubt that one of Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka will win this tournament. I am going with my heart and saying Pakistan!

[TAK]

Heart: Pakistan

Head: Austaralia/Hind

One thing i've learned over the years is that when you least expect Pakistan....Pakistan delivers!

[PACE LIKE FIRE]

Originally Posted by TAK Heart: Pakistan Head: Austaralia/Hind One thing i've learned over the years is that when you least expect Pakistan....Pakistan delivers!

absolutely correct, but the opposite is also true and that is what

makes me disheartened

[PlanetPakistan]

Originally Posted by Hash I'm going with my heart and saying Pakistan. Even with my head we have an excellent chance. Say we go with this team (which is the most likely team Bob will go with)... Farhat Hafeez Malik Younis Yousuf Afridi Razzaq Kamran Rana Shoaib Asif There are 7 bowling options there....and have a look at that variety. Shoaib, Asif, Rana, Razzaq, Afridi, Malik and Hafeez! With the exception of Malik and Hafeez they are all very different bowlers. Everyone all the way down to 10 can hold his own with the bat and everyone down to 8 has a test century to their name. Even as a fielding side we have Malik, Afridi, Younis and Hafeez who are very good fielders. Plus Asif and Rana who are decent fielders. It is up to the others to step up in this department. The conditions will certainly favour us (along with India). Our players are very experienced in playing in these conditions. Those streaky edges which Mr Farhat gets in England will more often come off the middle and our bowlers are also more use to bowling on these wickets than those from other countries. I have little doubt that one of Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka will win this tournament. I am going with my heart and saying Pakistan!

Very positive post

[z10]

pakistan, ofcourse

[Nakhuda]

Pak 59.26%
It'll be the Aussies or RSA!

[Usman Chadda]

I have to go with Pakistan. Even though we drew with England (which is as good as losing), we have the perfect team to challenge the mighty Australians or any other team

We just have improve our fielding and running between the wickets. If these two aspects improve then we can be a huge threat in the tournament

[James]

An Asian side, because of the conditions. I would like to think my team England have a chance of getting to the semis with our new look team.

[Hash]

Originally Posted by Nakhuda Pak 59.26% It'll be the Aussies or RSA!

No chance

[Nice-N-Fresh]

Inshallah Pakistan will win

[James]

Originally Posted by Hash No chance

SA drew 2-2 in India in an ODI series recently...I would agree it would be a surprise to see SA come close to winning it (especially with their depleted ranks) but stranger things have happened. Plus are we forgetting that in a tournament, all you need is 1 bad day and you are out, regardless of how good the said team is supposed to be. Just like in West Indies 07, there will be lots of teams capable of winning the CT.

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by Whippy SA drew 2-2 in India in an ODI series recently...I would agree it would be a surprise to see SA come close to winning it (especially with their depleted ranks) but stranger things have happened. Plus are we forgetting that in a tournament, all you need is 1 bad day and you are out, regardless of how good the said team is supposed to be. Just like in West Indies 07, there will be lots of teams capable of winning the CT.

Not as big as a surprise of England making it to the Semis.

[Uzzy]

Heart - Pakistan

Head - Aus\Sri Lanka.

Ultimately it will be an Asian team i feel.

[P4K1 #1]

Inshallah Pakistan will win..

[princess afridi]

Pakistan will win defo we have got a strong side especially with the asian conditions advantage.

[chuck]

It's likely to be an Asian team. It will be difficult for Pak without Inzi. I would say India or SL.

[James]

Originally Posted by Uzzy Not as big as a surprise of England making it to the Semis.

If our depleted 8th ranked side can draw 2-2 with the full strength (and apparently world class) XI of Pakistan, the full strength 8th ranked side can get to the semis of the CT.

[cornered paktiger]

Sadly I think India will win this but hopefully it'll mean their subsequent poor showing in the world cup will hurt more!!!

[Rana]

South Africa for me!

[Easa]

Pakistan.

We have a very good, balanced team. Two decentish openers, two excellent middle order batsman, 4 good improvisers/hitters - Afridi, Razzaq, Akmal, Malik, and three excellent bowlers.

Pakistan Zindabad.

EDIT: Bowlers not fielders.

[James]

Originally Posted by Easa Pakistan. We have a very good, balanced team. Two decentish openers, two excellent middle order batsman, 4 good improvisers/hitters - Afridi, Razzaq, Akmal, Malik, and three excellent fielders. Pakistan Zindabad.

I admire your optimism, but what's this one about? Teams field as 11 men, not 3 men!

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by Whippy If our depleted 8th ranked side can draw 2-2 with the full strength (and apparently world class) XI of Pakistan, the full strength 8th ranked side can get to the semis of the CT.

What do you think W.I chances are seeing as they are 5-2 against India?

By that logic i could say W.I may make it to the Semi on the basis that they beat India!

There are also other things you need to consider. The conditions in India will be totally different. England do not have a good record in ODIs in the subcontinent. 3-2 loss against Pakistan and 5-1 loss against India. Guys like Jon Lewis and co will be hammered over there.

And finally, you should know by now that Pakistan have a knack of making mediocre teams look word class

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by Whippy I admire your optimism, but what's this one about? Teams field as 11 men, not 3 men!

[Rana]

Originally Posted by Whippy I admire your optimism, but what's this one about? Teams field as 11 men, not 3 men!

We are that damn good, we require only 3 good fielders!

just imagine if all our players were exceptional fielders, then we could probably be better then Australia

[James]

We have proven we can beat any team in this tournament in a one-off game (except Sri Lanka ), though you have a valid point on the conditions. This is why ODI tournaments are good, they contain one-off rubbers and anyone can win them.

[Easa]

Originally Posted by Whippy I admire your optimism, but what's this one about? Teams field as 11 men, not 3 men!

Haha, I meant 3 very good bowlers. It's been edited now.

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by Easa Haha, I meant 3 very good bowlers. It's been edited now.

so we have no good fielders then?

[Easa]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed so we have no good fielders then?

No.

[Usman Chadda]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed so we have no good fielders then?

I think we all knew that. I fail to find the difference between school boy cricketers and professional cricketers when Pakistan take the field. Its shambolic at the moment

[octavian]

Originally Posted by z10 pakistan, ofcourse

Bob Woolmer doesn't win tournaments.

[garbage_can2003]

I will go with Sri Lanka although I will be supporting Pak all the way.

[WIW_SRT]

This poll is not about who will CT , but how many members are from which country and apparently it seems that 40 members are from Pakistan.

[PlanetPakistan]

Originally Posted by WIW_SRT This poll is not about who will CT , but how many members are from which country and apparently it seems that 40 members are from Pakistan.

and 5 Indian
so 8:1 ratio....that's what i expected on a PAK forum

[scary spice]

Pakistan is my second,favorites
so guess what jump up but remember that you are just by youself there"

[MIG]

I have chosen SL - dark horses but very capable in the sub continent.

[Rahul25]

My money is on sri lanka

[invincible]

ENGLAND

... coz my brain isn't working since the morning math class ...

[Rickz]

Heart wants India to win, but mind says Sri Lanka or Pakistan will win it.

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by MIG I have chosen SL - dark horses but very capable in the sub continent.

Glad to see you have chosen same pick as me

[nafajafam]

Pakistan and faisal iqbal will lead the way towards a fashionable victory for pakistan over... the losers.

[Rob H]

I'm going to say India. I think that they'll get through the group easily and then put the foot down in the knockouts. They have Sachin back in his ridiculously good form and a home crowd cheering them on. I can see with a good knowledge of the conditions they will go all the way and take the trophy.

I keep changing my view though, i'll be saying Australia tomorrow and Sri Lanka the next day.

[Easa]

Originally Posted by nafajafam Pakistan and faisal iqbal will lead the way towards a fashionable victory for pakistan over... the losers.

[ZM]

Pakistan all the way
We have a team full of superstars. Our bowling will be matched by no-one and neither will the explosive batting. Pakistan to beat Australia/India in the final!

[PACE LIKE FIRE]

Auss all the way.......reasons being

1 superior batting

2 excellent fieldsmen

3 Awsome bowling attack

4[/COLOR][B]most important ALWAYS HAVE 13 MEN IN THEIR 11

11 PLAYERS + 2 UMPIRES

How can you beat a team like that

[PACE LIKE FIRE]

fi

[Binga]

No offence but I'm sensing a small bias towards pakistan here . It says who do you think not who do you want, but I can understand, do not get me wrong Pakistan have a great ODI team but you can not go past Australia.

[PlanetPakistan]

Originally Posted by Binga No offence but I'm sensing a small bias towards pakistan here . It says who do you think not who do you want, but I can understand, do not get me wrong Pakistan have a great ODI team but you can not go past Australia.

then it will be 92.72% and not 46.36%

[Usman Chadda]

The events that have occured in the past few days would surely have rocked the Pakistan team management. The players wont be in the right frame of minds after their vice-captain and chairman have resigned from their posts. We will be lucky to go through to the next stage

[Binga]

Maybe this whole situation will give the players some added motivation to perform, so they can put the troubles of these past weeks behind them.

[Toony™®]

I voted for India.

[zMario]

Originally Posted by Toony™® I voted for India.

Acha?

I voted for England - theyre bound to win


last place

[KB]

Just looking at the schedule, Pakistan's first match is against a qualifier - probably Sri Lanka, maybe West Indies.

Pakistan are likely to be rusty in their first game. However their opponents will have some practice under their belt.

Also in group B, aside from Pakistan, who are in disarray at the moment, there is South Africa and New Zealand. If Sri Lanka do qualify into that group they will be more suited to the conditions than those two teams. They will look to strangle the South Africans and New Zealenders with their spinners.

So if Sri Lanka are in that group, they have a very good chance of qualifying.

[Hash]

I was not particularly impressed with Sri Lanka today. They are being overrated by people for sure.

I also completely disagree that we are in disarray. There have been rumblings off the pitch which appear to have sorted themselves out.....a misunderstanding led to an emotional reaction from Younis which he now regrets, SK resigned (he probably would have done so anyway) and Mushy got sacked (part of PCBs new streamlining initiative).

Given the stability we have seen in the last 2 and a half years it did come as a shock but it has certainly been blown out of proportion. There is ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE that the team is in disarray or that the team unity has been in any way eroded. If anything the pictures on getty seem to show the team in pretty jovial spirits.

I predict that Pakistan will win the Champions Trophy (you couldn't expect me to predict anything else though could you?)

[PlanetPakistan]

Originally Posted by Hash I was not particularly impressed with Sri Lanka today. They are being overrated by people for sure. I also completely disagree that we are in disarray. There have been rumblings off the pitch which appear to have sorted themselves out.....a misunderstanding led to an emotional reaction from Younis which he now regrets, SK resigned (he probably would have done so anyway) and Mushy got sacked (part of PCBs new streamlining initiative). Given the stability we have seen in the last 2 and a half years it did come as a shock but it has certainly been blown out of proportion. There is ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE that the team is in disarray or that the team unity has been in any way eroded. If anything the pictures on getty seem to show the team in pretty jovial spirits. I predict that Pakistan will win the Champions Trophy (you couldn't expect me to predict anything else though could you?)

man didn't you see Malinga and Fernanado cranking it up....i know Fernando was a bit wayward but he also bowled some mighty fine deliveries in between and then off course the experience performers like Vaas and Murli! Batting wise they have 6 top class batsmen followed by 2 all rounders so i think they are looking in fairly good shape!

[PlanetPakistan]

Originally Posted by ggm Just looking at the schedule, Pakistan's first match is against a qualifier - probably Sri Lanka, maybe West Indies. Pakistan are likely to be rusty in their first game. However their opponents will have some practice under their belt. Also in group B, aside from Pakistan, who are in disarray at the moment, there is South Africa and New Zealand. If Sri Lanka do qualify into that group they will be more suited to the conditions than those two teams. They will look to strangle the South Africans and New Zealenders with their spinners. So if Sri Lanka are in that group, they have a very good chance of qualifying.

Pakistan are likely to be fresh in their 1st game. However their opponents will be tired with all the travelling and 5 games in 8 or 9 days!

[Hash]

Originally Posted by PlanetPakistan man didn't you see Malinga and Fernanado cranking it up....i know Fernando was a bit wayward but he also bowled some mighty fine deliveries in between and then off course the experience performers like Vaas and Murli! Batting wise they have 6 top class batsmen followed by 2 all rounders so i think they are looking in fairly good shape!

They were quick but very wayward and any half decent batting side would have chased down the 302 without breaking into a sweat.

[jackal786]

One crazy day from Flintoff and Pietersen can seal the match against any team. So i won't write off any team including NZ except Bangladesh.

[PlanetPakistan]

Originally Posted by Hash They were quick but very wayward and any half decent batting side would have chased down the 302 without breaking into a sweat.

Murli was a bit rusty but i expect him to bowl a lot better;the only major concern for SL is C Vaas. He hasn't bowled well over the last 14 months or so.

[evertonfan]

I reckon Pakistan will win this; They've suffered a lot of harship in teh last few months so I think that this tournament will be the first thing for a while that will go their way.

[The Godfather]

Pakistan for sure

[jusarrived]

I agree with Hash on this one....SL are being hyped up here,they stand no chance of qualifying to semis ...malinga will be taken for lot of runs by a quality batting side

[PlanetPakistan]

Great start for the WI!

[James]

apart from me, who were the 3 other people to vote for England. 1 of them will be Hash having a laugh, but the other 2 should be named and shamed!

[evertonfan]

Although I think Pakistan will win, I voted England just for the patriotism of it.

[PlanetPakistan]

Originally Posted by Rob H I'm going to say India. I think that they'll get through the group easily and then put the foot down in the knockouts. They have Sachin back in his ridiculously good form and a home crowd cheering them on. I can see with a good knowledge of the conditions they will go all the way and take the trophy. I keep changing my view though, i'll be saying Australia tomorrow and Sri Lanka the next day.

they have had some problems vs the WI

[Tupac]

Sachin Tendulkar's Indians for me...

[Rickz]

Originally Posted by PlanetPakistan they have had some problems vs the WI

That was months ago, the Indian team has changed, the bowling has improved vastly, Sachin Tendulkar is back in good form, Dravid, Dhoni, Yuvraj is due for some innings, and they are playing at home, they know the conditions and hopefully will utalise the conditions well.

[PlanetPakistan]

Originally Posted by Playa That was months ago, the Indian team has changed, the bowling has improved vastly, Sachin Tendulkar is back in good form, Dravid, Dhoni, Yuvraj is due for some innings, and they are playing at home, they know the conditions and hopefully will utalise the conditions well.

I will have to agree with that....since IND are playing at home they will play better than they did a few months ago but remember the WI team is also playing some excellent cricket and have the slight psychological edge over IND so i expect it to be a very good contest.

[Noreen]

Pakistan

[Saj]

With just over half the tournament over, I thought I'd reopen this poll. Well who do you think will win now ?

Those who backed Sri Lanka....well try again.

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by Saj With just over half the tournament over, I thought I'd reopen this poll. Well who do you think will win now ? Those who backed Sri Lanka....well try again.

Sri Lanka's 78-run defeat against South Africa leaves them on the brink of being eliminated from the Champions Trophy, but all isn't lost for them yet. Since they have played all three matches in the group, the situation isn't in their hands any more, but if other results pan out well, Sri Lanka might still make it to the semi-finals.

For that to happen, though, Pakistan will need to win both their remaining matches, which will put them on top of the group with six points, leaving New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka with one win each. In such a case, the net run rate will decide which team joins Pakistan in the semi-finals.

Currently, Sri Lanka's NRR of -0.195 is below that of South Africa (-0.090) and New Zealand (0.414). For them to make it, Sri Lanka will have to hope that Pakistan demolish South Africa and New Zealand by big enough margins to make their NRR drop below Sri Lanka's.

In fact, South Africa's NRR is so marginally above Sri Lanka's that even a narrow defeat against Pakistan will be a huge setback - if, for example, Pakistan score 250 and South Africa lose by 30 runs, their NRR will still drop to -0.26.

For Sri Lanka to beat New Zealand's NRR, though, they'll need greater help from Pakistan. If Pakistan manage 250, they will have to restrict New Zealand to less than 189 for Sri Lanka to get through. Considering the way batsmen have struggled in this tournament, such a margin of defeat can hardly be ruled out. It's not the ideal situation for Mahela Jayawardene and his team, but it's hardly time yet to pack their bags and head home.

(source - cricinfo)