'Baj Gaya Dhol' - Harbhajan's Honest Remarks On PAK's Fate In WC 2023

image-losb7310Harbhajan Singh on Pakistan's chances (Twitter)

Harbhajan Singh gave a brutally honest word on Pakistan's qualifying chances at the ICC World Cup 2023 and said he would be "cheating" himself if he were to be optimistic of the Asian giants securing a semifinal berth in the quadrennial event. 

The former India spinner underlined Pakistan's no-hope equation where the 1992 champions need to defeat England on Saturday (November 11) by a margin of 287 runs or complete a successful chase inside 2.4 overs to elevate their NRR above New Zealand, who thrashed Sri Lanka on Thursday in Bangalore to nearly cement the fourth spot in the points table. 



The situation is similar to the 2019 edition of the World Cup in England where even though Pakistan hammered New Zealand, the BlackCaps pipped them over in the race for the knock-outs on the back of superior NRR. The Babar Azam-led side defeated the Kiwis in a rain-marred fixture in Bangalore but were edged over on overall performance count by Kane Williamson & company. 

Harbhajan Singh On Pakistan's Semifinal Hopes 

Speaking on Star Sports following New Zealand's handsome victory over Sri Lanka to nearly secure a repeat of the 2019 semifinal with India at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Harbhajan highlighted Pakistan's unrealistic task at hand and said he shouldn't cheat on himself to raise their hopes. 

"I don't think they have any chance. It will be like cheating yourself that they have a chance. Pakistan will have to win the match by 285-odd runs. They might not score those many runs in total," Harbhajan said amidst doom and gloom within the Pakistan cricket fraternity. 

"If they have to win the match by 285-odd runs, they will have to score 400 or 450. If they score 400-450 runs in a match, the other team won't come to eat chole. They will also come and bat a little. So understand what sort of pitch it would be."

"In my opinion, Hariram ka baj gaya dhol. They will have to go back now. Either New Zealand or Afghanistan will go ahead. They are the only two teams," he added.