Lightning should strike Bangladesh team, says Mohammad Yousuf over Pakistan’s chances in the World Cup

With England beating New Zealand in Chester-le-Street on Wednesday, the top four teams of the 2019 World Cup have been almost confirmed. Having superior net run-rate has helped the Kiwis as, despite hat-trick of losses, they are through to the semi-finals. Pakistan has left with winning the game against Bangladesh by an unimaginable margin on Friday at Lord’s. Rather, their former cricketer Mohammad Yousuf is jokingly hoping that the lightning strikes Bangladesh team and they get all-out for a score like 10.

Pakistan is still hurting by the thumping loss at the hands of the Windies at the start of the tournament when they were bundled out for just 105 runs. Though the Men in Green recovered superbly in the second half their net run-rate is currently -0.792 which is too worse compared to New Zealand. The BlackCaps, despite losing the match by 119 runs, boast of a positive net run-rate of +0.175.

To better them in terms of NRR, Sarfaraz Ahmed and his troops should defeat Bangladesh by a huge margin of more than 300 runs depending on how much they score batting first. In case, the Tigers win the toss and opt to bat first, Pakistan will stand eliminated even before a ball is bowled as they will have to chase the target then only in one over.

Yousuf feels Pakistan is already eliminated

While speaking to a Pakistan news channel, Mohammad Yousuf admitted to the fact that Pakistan has been eliminated from the World Cup. He felt that winning by close to the 316-run margin is literally an impossible scenario even if they play against any fake team.

“Pakistan is out of the World Cup there is no doubt about it. Only if lightning strikes Bangladesh and they get all-out for 10 runs then only we have a chance. This scenario is very very difficult. Even if you are playing against a fake team, to win by 316 runs according to me a tough job,” he said.

Mohammad Yousuf “we need lightning to strike the Bangladesh team” ???? #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/xnKWPnSKzq

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) July 4, 2019

The remaining four matches of the league stage are now dead rubbers in the tournaments. The doubleheader on Saturday will only decide the semi-final clashes. For India to top the table, they will have to beat Sri Lanka and then hope that South Africa defeats Australia. In that case, the Men in Blue will face New Zealand in the first semi-final while the arch-rivals England and Australia will lock horns in Edgbaston.