Let us start this column, perhaps some might say for a change, with some positive and wonderful news. Big Nigel Paul thus far has won at least a bronze medal at the International Boxing Association World Boxing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.
Paul, a giant of a man, fighting in the super heavyweight +92kg (he stands at six feet, five inches and weighs 269 lbs) has created history for Trinidad & Tobago and became the first boxer from the country to medal at the World Boxing Championships.
Speaking to Paul, one may wonder just how he is a boxer as he is very humble and gives all the praise to his coaches for his success. Obviously, when he steps into the ring, he becomes a warrior and his mild-mannered approach takes a back seat until the fight is over and he can cool down, relax and await his next assignment.
As Paul says, his coaching staff analyses his opponents based on video footage and plans the strategy for the fights he carries out. At 32, Paul can still achieve his goals in the next few years. He represented T&T at the 2016 Rio Olympics but failed to make the cut for Tokyo 2020. You better believe that he will be giving his all to be on the plane to Paris 2024.
Like any sporting hero, let us congratulate Paul on his achievements and whatever happens in his next fight, he has put T&T on the map, not only in the world of sport but by giving boxing a boost in the country. His performance can hopefully serve as a catalyst to inspire a whole crop of young men who would want to take up the sport of boxing. One can only hope that the powers that be assist this fine athlete going forward to achieve his goals. Well done, Nigel!
In cricket, the Super 12 games at the ICC T20 World Cup is nearly at an end and by the time you read this, West Indies will be playing their fourth match on Thursday (November 4) against Sri Lanka with their final encounter against Australia to come this Saturday (November 6) from 6 am (TT time).
Before the West Indies meet Sri Lanka, Australia take on Bangladesh and the West Indies will be hoping the Tigers can do them a favour and defeat the Kangaroos. Unfortunately, the odds are stacked heavily against Bangladesh winning for the first time in this Super 12 stage of the tournament. In their last encounter, having been dismissed for 84 two days ago against the South Africans, their confidence will be low and added to this misery, their star player and most accomplished all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, has gone back home with a hamstring injury.
Advancing to the semi-finals after losing their first two games was always going to be difficult for the West Indies as they had to hope other results went their way. So the permutations read like this - if and all of this is a huge if - the West Indies win their final two games, they will end up with six points. If the Australians lose their final two games, they end up with four points but if they win one, West Indies will have to win against them by a huge margin which will have to be worked out on the day of the game.
The other team in the equation is South Africa. They play England so if England plays a strong team and doesn’t rest some of their leading players, the English can be expected to win again and the West Indies will be hoping for a huge England victory which would help bring the net run rate of the South Africans down.
The final standings could read England on 10 points and South Africa, Australia and the West Indies all on six points. It does look like the script from a Steven Spielberg movie and would make for wonderful viewing. However, realistically, I don't expect it to happen but the old adage will always apply: cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties. I am certain that the most die-hard West Indian fans are hoping for that miracle that can squeeze the West Indies into the semi-finals.
In Group Two, Pakistan has been tremendous. If there is one team in the world that can mimic the West Indies, it is Pakistan. Today, they can play like world beaters, and tomorrow, they struggle to beat the worst playing side in a tournament. But not this Pakistan team. They have been remarkably consistent and have been playing good cricket for a while now.
Recently in 2021, they won T20 series against New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the West Indies. However, they narrowly lost 2-1 in England in a series that could have gone either way. They are extremely well-led by Babar Azam whose approach is a no-nonsense attitude to the game and in Shaheen Afridi, who at 21, in my view, is the leading fast bowler in the world today. He has everything - swing, pace, and a deadly yorker but this Pakistan team possesses some fine all-round talent. They will take some beating and I really fancy them to take the title.
On the other hand, India has been a disappointment thus far but the victory against Afghanistan will give them some confidence for their final two games. Even with their victory, they will still have to hope that Afghanistan defeats New Zealand and then it becomes a three-way tie and net run rate will come into effect.
What about the pitches? In my opinion, they have not been great for the tournament. The teams that have batted second so far have accounted for 14 of the 21 victories in the tournament. Namibia (twice), Scotland (twice), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are the only teams that have batted second and lost. Statistically, there seems to be a clear advantage for the teams that chase totals in this T20 World Cup. We have not consistently seen totals in excess of 190 runs.
Factually, India, who were sent in to bat by Afghanistan, has the highest total of 210 for 2 so far in the tournament Afghanistan batting first against Scotland scored 190 for 4 followed by Pakistan against Namibia with 189 for 2. T20 cricket is all about fours and sixes but 140 to 150 runs seem to be a competitive total when batting first and unfortunately, these pitches are not as batsman friendly when compared to other T20 pitches across the globe.
Let us hope when we get to the semi-final stage of the tournament, fans will see some exhilarating batting, superb bowling and outstanding catching and fielding by arguably the four best teams of the tournament.
Last but by no means least, Shubh Divali, T&T. May this holy festival bring light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.
Editor’s note: The views expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of any organisation of which he is a stakeholder.
