More often than not, an event rarely lives up to its reputation after a lot of hype. But the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 lived up to all the billing it received it received in the first match at least. Batting first, the West Indies struggled but Dwayne Smith and Marlon Samuels ensured there was no disaster like the one against India in the warm-up game. They never batted together, but ensured that the West Indies total reached a respectable and challenging 242/9. The finish to the innings was rather emphatic too with a six off the last ball. Full Scorecard

The Pakistan bowlers promised much, but could not deliver everything. And they paid for it dearly. Too many extras and far too many loose balls coupled with some average fielding put them in a poor position.

The Pakistan innings got off to an exciting start with a six off the second ball of the first over but the very next ball saw the wicket, a rather fortuitous one, with Imran Nazir edging a straight one to Denesh Ramadin. Two more wickets followed including the reliable Younis Khan, but captain Inzamam ul-Haq and Mohammed Younis were showing signs of recovery.

Inzi definitely did better in the first match as compared to the last World Cup where he failed to make double figures in six matches! A good sign, one must say! But the Pakistan batting has failed and although one should not judge them on the basis of just one game, we have to since this was their most important match of the first round. A loss to Zimbabwe now (not impossible, mind you) could well end all hopes!

The most heartening sight of all, though, was the crowd who got vociferously behind their team. And the West Indies seemed to respond to their support too. Even when the Windies was bowling, the crowd was loud and in true Caribbean style, totally engrossed in the proceedings on the ground.

Unfortunately for the tournament, a classic match like the first one will be followed up by an excessively one-sided one between Scotland and Australia. Elsewhere in the Caribbean, Kenya will play Canada and although this seems like an even game on paper, Kenya is the favourite to win!