World Cup Press Box | India, Denmark and the World Cup Final

[World Cricket Conference]

Denmark end Pakistan's dream run with 10-wicket trouncing
Pakistan, who remained unbeaten during the group stage, were brought back down to earth with their wings melted off as the Danes secured a semifinals qualification against India in Christchurch.​

Pakistan's 10-wicket loss to Denmark was the World Cup's biggest defeat © Associated Press, December 21, 2003​

REVIEW: PAKISTAN vs DENMARK, QF4​

Pakistan met Denmark in the fourth quarter-final of the Cricket World Cup, and to everyone's surprise, Pakistan were the team to enter this contest as the favorites. Up until this point, Pakistan were the best-performing side in the tournament, having advanced out of Group D as the only unbeaten team to have played all four group matches. Their road to the quarter-final included massive wins over Morocco and South Africa, which propelled their status from underdogs to World Cup favorites. However, their dream run turned into an unforgettable nightmare when they met Denmark in the fourth quarter-final, as the Euro Cup champions brought a screeching halt to Pakistan's campaign with a 10-wicket trampling in the biggest defeat of the tournament.

After winning the toss, Aksel Johansson invited Pakistan to bat first with 8.0 overs shaved off each innings due to a heavy downpour before the start of the match. Johansson's decision proved fruitful immediately, as Martin Lundgren struck on the second delivery of the game to send Mohammad Rafi back on his way for a duck. Quite surprisingly however, after his first-over blow, Lundgren was removed from the attack and Aage Storgaard was given the ball to bowl the third over. Denmark very clearly had a strategy and it was paying off in spades, as Aage removed Ali Chughtai to validate Johansson's bowling change, reducing Pakistan to 5/2 in the process.

Saim Rizvi and Talha Hayat, the two-best batsmen of the team, attempted to rejuvenate Pakistan's innings with counter-attacking batting, and for a moment it appeared to work, but an ill-fated inside-edge resulted in Talha Hayat's departure, making it very evident that maybe, it just isn't Pakistan's day. Three deliveries after Hayat's dismissal, Rizvi holed out against Chris Fredriksson as Pakistan continued their slump. Wickets continued to fall almost unstoppably for Pakistan, despite a commendable show of resistance by Adam Youhana and Kabir Khan Durrani, as the unbeaten Pakistanis were bowled out for a measly 102 in no time.

With a straightforward task at hand, Danish openers Chris Mattsson and Niels Hjort excelled with flying colours to give Denmark their biggest win in ODI cricket, chasing the 103-run target without any losses to complete a 10-wicket trouncing of Pakistan in the biggest match of either nation's history. Pakistan, who remained unbeaten during the group stage, were brought back down to earth with their wings melted off as the Danes secured a semifinals qualification against India in Christchurch.

 

[World Cricket Conference]

Super-charged Niue and World No. 1s Canada collide in first semifinal
Canada, for all intents and purposes, are the best team in the world. They are two-time winners of the Americas Championship, reigning Nations League winners and the No. 1 ranked side in both, Test and ODI cricket. Winning the World Cup would only be the cherry on top.​

Roger Khan signs autographs for fans following Canada's quarter-final win © Associated Press, December 19, 2003​

PREVIEW: SEMI-FINAL 1​

When the World Cup began over a month ago, almost every sane cricketing mind would've predicted Canada, the No. 1 team in ODI cricket, to at least be in the final four of the tournament, but perhaps despite the home advantage, very few would've thought that Niue would make it out of the group of death, let alone be in the final four as well. But such is the beauty of this sport, it is the great leveller, where on your day, you can best even the absolute best the sport has to offer.

And that encapsulates Niue's World Cup campaign perfectly. Even after being blown out of the water in their opening game against Qatar, Niue pulled through and registered crucial wins over Vanuatu, Denmark and Guernsey to qualify for the quarter-finals, where they met South Africa, who they also beat to set-up this match.

Now that they've made it into the last stretch of the tournament, going up against Canada and the winners of the India-Denmark semifinal will take some doing, even for a super-charged Niuean side. Canada, for all intents and purposes, are the best team in the world. They are two-time winners of the Americas Championship, reigning Nations League winners and the No. 1 ranked side in both, Test and ODI cricket. Winning the World Cup would only be the cherry on top.

Canada have played three games so far, with their matches against Wales and Bermuda being washouts. In their three matches, they did lose once to India, but it had more to do with Vikas Samant having an exceptional outing all on his own more than the Indians outright besting the Canadians. Vikas Samant's individual brilliance proved too good for Canada, the very same Canada that steamrolled the Arab Cup winners Saudi Arabia in a must-win contest in the last completed match of the group. With such a pedigree and form behind both of these teams, fans, Niuean, Canadian or neutral can expect an absolute barnburner between these two sides as a super-charged Niuean side takes on the best team in the world, Canada, in the first semifinal of the Cricket World Cup.

 

[World Cricket Conference]

Niue cruise into final after Nemani ton
Canada for all intents and purposes were the undisputed best team in the world in the lead up to this match, but their throne was demolished by a supercharged Niuean side who secured a historic win to become World Cup Finalists on the back of a legacy-defining knock from their most prolific run-scorer, Dalton Nemani.​

Niue completed a terrific turnaround to reach the final after their first-match loss to Qatar © Associated Press, December 24, 2003​

REVIEW: NIUE vs CANADA, SF1​

Niue faced off against Canada in the first semifinal of the World Cup. Early showers shaved off 12 overs from each innings, making it a 38.0 overs-a-side game. A shortened game was sure to help Niue, who despite being the more acclimatized nation to these Oceanian conditions, entered this contest as the underdogs, and rightly so. Canada for all intents and purposes were the undisputed best team in the world in the lead up to this match, but their throne was demolished by a supercharged Niuean side who secured a historic win to become World Cup Finalists on the back of a legacy-defining knock from their most prolific run-scorer, Dalton Nemani.

After winning the toss, Canada asked Niue to bat first. Their decision seemed vindicated when Badr Baig struck in the first over to remove Misikea Feleti. Aisea Atiola did not let the early dismissal disparage him, and instead played proactively and scored quick runs, taking the Canadian new ball attack on. Rata Tui had his stumps rattled in the sixth over by Shawnte McCullock, which brought out Dalton Nemani to bat. Nemani made his intentions clear from the get-go, going over mid-wicket for consecutive fours. Atiola joined in on the fun, but he had his innings cut short when he failed to clear the boundary against Badr Baig in the 13th over.

Nemani at the other end, was in some mood. Two sixes and a four to McCullock in the 14th over brought up his fifty, taking him only 31 deliveries to achieve it. His relentless hitting did not show regard for any of Canada's bowlers, taking even Badr Baig and Olivier MacDonald to the cleaners. Canada finally found a breakthrough when Haitrosene Vemoa chopped one on off Amish Bakshi, giving the North Americans a much-needed breather. Unfortunately though, their bowlers could not capitalize on this important break, with Dalton Nemani and Jayson Okesene continuing to punish Canada. Nemani, fittingly, brought up his hundred in the 29th over with a boundary. He could not prolong his stay at the crease after reaching his century however, perishing in the 32nd over to Badr Baig. On his way back, he received a standing ovation and an undying applause as the fans present at the Basin Reserve took on the gravitas and the importance of his legacy-defining knock.

Jayson Okesene struck a few lusty blows, but he could not give Niue the kind of finish they would've liked. Canada's bowlers, better late than never perhaps, pulled runs back at the end to give their batsmen 245 runs to chase in 38.0 overs. Against any opposition, and under any condition that is a mountain to climb, let alone against the Niueans at the Basin Reserve. Most would believe Canada would be the only team who could get this done, but now, it was time to find out if they actually could.

Canada's innings began quite similarly to Niue's, with Graham White falling to Faleuka Tagelagi in the second over. Just like Niue's innings, Bucholtz went on a counterattack similar to Aisea Atiola's, however his aggression turned out to be short-lived with Duken Talaiti breaking through his defenses. An amateurish run out in the 15th over resulted in Balendra Lathar's dismissal, cutting his well-defined innings short, just as he was looking to explode. Martin Terry and Frederic Baron stabilized the ship, but for Canada to stand any chances of taking Niue's 245 down, ideally both of them had to go big. Fate indicated that they just might, with Faleuka Tagelagi fluffing the simplest of chances of Canada's quarterfinal hero, Frederic Baron, but it turned out to be a red herring as Baron was trapped plumb in front of the stumps in the 26th over. Faleuka Tagelagi's drop did not come back to haunt Niue, and with the required rate climbing ever so steadily, Martin Terry had to hit out or get out.

And get out, he did. In a moment which would go on to dictate the outcome of this match, Terry was given out after a series of tight overs, prompting him to go down on one knee and attempt a slog which did not connect in the slightest. His audacious attempt yielded empty peanuts, as Canada lost their biggest wicket of the match.

A string of tight overs resulting from disciplined, focused bowling dried up the runs for Canada, leaving them with the near-impossible task of requiring 79 runs from 24 deliveries. It only three fours and one six before Niue broke through and dismissed Vishvadeep Singh, which was followed by Olivier MacDonald and Amish Bakshi's dismissals in the penultimate and ultimate overs of the innings. Canada's innings ended with Roger Khan remaining unbeaten, but the World No. 1s still 46 runs away from Niue's total. In an outcome that would mirror Niue's heartbreaking exit in the 2000 Knockout Trophy, Canada fell short chasing, and were promptly knocked out.

 

[World Cricket Conference]

India, Denmark and the World Cup Final
Both teams have their strengths, and as the game unfolds, it will be a test of skill, strategy, and composure. Will India’s dominance continue, or will Denmark’s dream run continue to surprise? One thing is certain – this semifinal will be a cricketing spectacle that will keep fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball.​

Vijay Kambli and Pramod Krishnakumar during media day before the second semifinal © Associated Press, December 24, 2003​

PREVIEW: SEMI-FINAL 2​

As the Cricket World Cup draws to a close, and as the tournament reaches its climax, anticipation is mounting for the second semifinal, which promises to be a spectacle of between two behemoths of the ODI format. On one side of the field, we have India, the pre-tournament favorites, whose campaign has been nothing short of stellar. On the other, Denmark, the underdog story of the tournament, has defied expectations to secure a place in the semifinals ahead of South Africa. Their clash ahead is set to be a riveting contest which will determine the finalists who take on Niue in Auckland on the 28th of December.

India: The Unstoppable Force

India, a cricketing powerhouse, has been the team to beat throughout the tournament. With a roster brimming with talent and a track record of consistency, they enter this semifinal as the clear favorites. Despite facing two washed-out matches in the group stage, India has demonstrated their capability to rise to the occasion, remaining unbeaten in the process.

Their batting lineup, though not as prolific as usual, has shown moments of brilliance. Vikas Samant, surprisingly, has emerged as the top run-scorer for India. His match-winning innings against Canada has been a highlight of India’s campaign, underscoring his ability to perform under pressure. While their batting stars may not have been at their absolute peak, the depth and talent in India’s squad ensure they can turn the tide in their favor at any moment.

India’s bowling attack, led by the spin-wiz Mayas Kumble, has been a cornerstone of their success. Kumble’s exceptional performance, with 8 wickets at an average of 8.00, has made him a key player in India’s World Cup journey. Pramod Krishnakumar and Zeeshan Khan have supported him throughout despite having numbers that pale in comparison to Kumble's. India’s bowling unit, with its blend of skill and experience, is well-equipped to challenge any opposition.

Denmark: The Underdog’s Dream

Denmark’s run in the tournament has been nothing short of impressive. Despite a solitary defeat to the World Cup finalists in the group stage, Denmark has showcased their mettle and resilience. Their journey to the semifinals is a testament to their strength and determination, making them a formidable opponent for any team.

The Danish batting lineup has been anchored by standout performances from Chris Mattsson and Niels Hjort, who have amassed 180 and 163 runs respectively. Their ability to anchor innings and score crucial runs has been pivotal for Denmark. Additionally, Paul Boesen has provided vital contributions with two fifties, further bolstering Denmark’s batting credentials.

In terms of bowling, Denmark’s attack has been exceptional. Chris Fredriksson, Martin Lundgren, and Oliver Johansson have been the standout bowlers, with 11, 10, and 9 wickets respectively. Their collective performance has been instrumental in dismantling opposition line-ups. Complementing them are Felix Nørregaard and Aage Storgaard, who have also contributed significantly, making Denmark’s bowling attack one of the most lethal in the tournament.

The Battle Ahead

As India and Denmark gear up for this high-stakes semifinal, the clash promises to be a thrilling encounter. India’s star-studded lineup and unbeaten run position them as the favorites, but Denmark’s underdog spirit and well-rounded team dynamics make them a dangerous opponent.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. The winner of this semifinal will advance to face Niue at Eden Park in Auckland on the 28th of December, 2003, with the World Cup trophy on the line. Cricket fans around the world are in for a treat as two of the best teams in the world battle it out for a place in the final.

Both teams have their strengths, and as the game unfolds, it will be a test of skill, strategy, and composure. Will India’s dominance continue, or will Denmark’s dream run continue to surprise? One thing is certain – this semifinal will be a cricketing spectacle that will keep fans on the edge of their seats until the very last ball.