KARACHI: Amid fears of more aftershocks in the face of the tremors felt in Karachi on Tuesday, a group of youngsters played a prank on the residents of an apartment complex in Gulistan-e-Jauhar’s Block 18.

At 3am on Thursday, the residents of Billy’s Paradise were suddenly stirred out of their sleep by a booming announcement emanating from the PA system of the mosque in the compound. “Attention all residents! You are requested to leave your houses quickly and evacuate the building. An earthquake has hit,” said a young man via the PA system.

Within minutes, a stream of terrified residents ran out of their flats and gathered on the street, praying for the safety of their loved ones amid more warnings over the PA system. Soon enough, all of the project’s occupants – around 600 people – sat huddled in groups along the footpaths, hoping that the ‘tremors’ would end soon. Residents of neighbouring buildings had also dashed out from their flats fearing the worst.

But suddenly, another announcement interspersed with giggles made the residents bristle with rage. It became apparent the announcer was merely a prankster capitalising on the fear that the earthquake on Tuesday had left in its wake. While a few other people giggled in the background, the announcer said the tremors had only reached Badin and Karachi was safe.

“You are all requested to go back to your houses. There were no tremors in Karachi,” announced the youngster, while suppressing laughter. The fear melted as anger took over the residents. Some of them entered the mosque to give the pranksters a piece of their minds. The whole neighbourhood could hear as the PA system was left on. The prankster turned out to be a resident of the project.

“Are you out of your mind?” said a man clearly irked by the stunt. “You will be answerable to Allah for this.” The rumbling continued as residents started moving back to their flats. “This is a disgrace. The next time there is an actual earthquake, no one will believe the announcements, thinking it’s another prank,” a resident told The Express Tribune. “The youngster should be severely punished and the administration should be held responsible. How they [the pranksters] got access to a locked mosque at three in the morning is beyond me.”

Rumours were rife that the announcements happened after a group of young residents dared each other in a bet. The incident happened within the jurisdiction of the Sharae Faisal police station. Law enforcers said that the duty officers headed over to the mosque and let the pranksters off with a warning.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2013.

KARACHI: The much-anticipated ‘Cricket and Cricket Writing’ session on day one of the Karachi Literature Festival 2013 Friday saw enthusiasts linking the hall at Beach Luxury Hotel to listen to renowned cricket writers Osman Samiuddin, Saad Shafqat and Kamila Shamsie.

The session kicked off with Shafqat talking about Pakistan cricket’s unpredictability, referring to their position in the ongoing second Test against South Africa.

“There are only few teams in world cricket as unpredictable as Pakistan,” said Shafqat. “They can be absolutely brilliant on one day and abysmal and ordinary on the other. That is Pakistan cricket for you.”

Samiuddin said Pakistan tend to perform well when people are least expecting them to. “We have a habit of delivering the goods after being stunned into mediocrity.”

Verdict on Asif, Amir, Butt

Meanwhile, Shafqat was also asked the inevitable question regarding his verdict on the defamed trio of Pakistan cricket — Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and former captain Salman Butt.

The trio was handed lengthy bans by the International Cricket Council after being found guilty of accepting money in a spot-fixing scandal during the tour of England in 2010.

“The heart certainly wants them back but the mind says they got what they deserved,” he said. “There were no doubts about their obvious talents but they cannot be forgiven for what they did. “Pakistan could have really done with Asif and Amir bowling from the two ends of the pitch though. Unfortunately, we might not be able to see that anytime soon.”

‘Butt most incompetent PCB chairman’

The sessions then turned towards the management of Pakistan cricket and questions were being thrown at the panelists about former administrators. When asked about the performance of the recent administrations, Samiuddin remarked: “Ejaz Butt was a poor administrator. He was indeed a good person but the most incompetent chairman the Pakistan Cricket Board ever had.

Talking about on-field issues, Samiuddin said Test cricket is not a diminishing format and has not suffered in the wake of the emergence of the shortest format of the game.

“Test cricket has its own charm. It is by no means a diminishing format. The three forms of cricket – one-day, Test and Twenty20 – are like music and its genres. Everyone has a different preference.”

Pakistan women’s cricket on the rise    

After the recent failure of the Pakistan women’s team at the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup in Mumbai, Kamila Shamsie gave her verdict on women’s cricket in Pakistan.

“There is immense talent in women’s cricket in Pakistan,” said Shamsie. “The only thing lacking perhaps is proper support. The recent failure is not a true picture of the status of women’s cricket in the country. Given the adequate facilities and support, I am confident women cricket here will flourish and reach new heights.”

Upon being asked about Pakistan’s fan favourite Shahid Afridi and the undying love people have for him in Pakistan, Shamsie said: “He’s a heartthrob for the people of Pakistan. There is no doubt about that. He’s always in the news. Most definitely, he does not know how to be bored or be boring!”

The session came to an end with Shafqat’s opinion on how there is too much hope being laid on cricket to play a major role in resurrecting the deteriorating relations between Pakistan and India. “Sport should be kept separate from politics. There is too much burden being put on cricket in hope that it will help improve the relations between the two countries.”

He also added, as he signed off, that cricket lovers in Pakistan should indulge more into cricket writing as that is a dying art in the country.

There were plenty of stars for Pakistan in the year, some old magicians who still have the flame burning while others brought renewed hope to the nation for the future.

The Express Tribune’s sports staff lists just a few of those who did matter in 2012…

Shakeel Abbasi

Critics were calling for Shakeel Abbasi’s head after a poor Olympics but the forward proved his worth by bagging the player-of-the-tournament award in the Champions Trophy, helping Pakistan to a bronze. His brace against Germany in the quarter-final paved way for Pakistan’s first semi-final appearance in eight years. Abbasi was a star performer for the Greenshirts in 2012.

“I knew that I could deliver the goods for the team,” Abbasi told The Express Tribune after the team’s return from Melbourne. “I am 100% fit and can be compared with any youngster in the side. And that’s why I have no plans of retiring in the near future.”

The Pakistan star player was also part of the national team which finished seventh in the London Olympics, so for him to put the disappointment behind him and improve over the course of the year was phenomenal. The resurgence is not going to stop, according to Abbasi, as he is targeting the 2014 World Cup as well as the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Mohammad Asif

Most Pakistanis had not even heard of Mohammad Asif before December 2 — the day he was crowned the World Amateur Snooker Champion in Bulgaria.

Asif became only the second Pakistani to win the event after Mohammad Yousuf (1994) and his path to the top of the world was not an easy one. It was no different from most other athletes of the country with struggles aplenty and lack of resources and financial support hampering his progress. It is astounding to think that the 30-year-old was on the brink of skipping the global event after the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation’s failure to finance his trip. Thankfully, personal sponsorships helped him board the plane and come back with the trophy.

Asif grew into the game after spending countless hours at his local snooker club in Faisalabad. His success is the result of his talent and determination, something that kept him going despite the limitations. Asif’s achievements in 2012 should serve as a stepping stone by the authorities, who need to realise that individuals like him deserve attention and support. The talented cueist now plans to step it up and enter the professional circuit. If the amateur title is something he was able to achieve without proper support, it shows what can be achieved by him and many others if adequate backing is received from sports bodies.

Nofil Kaleem

Pakistan’s achievement in the tennis court came from a rather unexpected name this year.

While Aisamul Haq Qureshi won titles and impressed in Grand Slams, the good news came in the form of Nofil Kaleem. The 13-year-old started playing tennis just two years ago but made history after becoming the first Pakistani to be named top junior player in the Asian rankings.

The Asian Tennis Federation announced their annual rankings in November and Kaleem topped the list with 1,220 points after playing nine regional tournaments in Qatar, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Kaleem won two ATF doubles and one singles title where he outplayed India’s Bijay Kumar Mohanty, who is among the top five players. Before opting to represent Pakistan, Kaleem won 16 national U14 titles to become Pakistan number one in October 2011.

“Nofil’s achievement was really unexpected but it does give us hope,” Pakistan number one Aqeel Khan told The Express Tribune. “Kaleem’s top ranking in Asia sends out a good message. It will help save tennis in Pakistan too. Unless players win tournaments, people will not pay any sort of attention to them.”

For 2013, Kaleem has set his eyes on ATF tournaments in Thailand and Malaysia, hoping to maintain his rankings for another year at least.

Dr Mohammad Ali Shah

Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) talks of reviving international cricket in the country was reduced to dust when one man, Dr Mohammad Ali Shah, took it upon himself to do what the cricket board could not as he hosted a set of international players for two matches in Karachi.

Sindh’s sports minister, despite suffering from serious illness, splashed millions on former internationals to tour Karachi and tell the world that it’s safe to play in the country. Despite being shadows of their past prime, Sanath Jayasuria, Andre Nel, Ricardo Powell and Nantie Hayward among others handed the cricket-starved nation a lot to cheer about and gave hope that international cricket might just been seen in Pakistani’s stadiums some time soon. The PCB, when the initial plan was revealed, refused to endorse the event, forcing Brian Lara to pull out. Whether the cricket board wanted all the laurels coming their way or were cutting off ties in case something bad might have happened is anyone’s guess, but what Dr Shah managed to pull off should give a clear message to the PCB as well – nothing is impossible.

Saeed Ajmal

Pakistan’s secret weapon has been fast-bowling. At a time when the team lacked a quality one at that, Saeed Ajmal rose through the ranks and provided Pakistan with hope.

The 35-year old remained the team’s best performer throughout the year in all formats. His doosras and teesras mesmerised batsmen all over the world, not least the English batsmen who were left licking their wounds after a humiliating whitewash at the start of the year. Questions were asked of his action – cleared by the International Cricket Council – as the English team struggled to find answers but to no avail. All this while the venom spread and Ajmal kept on striking. He took 39 wickets in six Tests that Pakistan played in 2012 but his magic worked in limited-overs cricket too. He remained on top of the ICC’s Twenty20 rankings and kept himself in the top-three ODI rankings. Despite the heroics, he was ignored for the ICC’s top award in the autumn. But the snub only made him stronger as he strived to improved even further.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2012.

Bronze at World Scrabble Youth Championship

Pakistani youth made their mark in the World Youth Team Scrabble Championship in Birmingham this  year as they finished third in the 26-nation event.

Pakistan’s Javeria Mirza also landed the award for scoring the highest word in a game (158 points). This was the first time that Pakistan won a medal in an international scrabble event, an improvement from the fifth-place finish last year.After leading the championship for the first two days with Javeria topping the charts, Pakistan lost focus and all six players lost at least three games on the lat day to slip to third. However, their manager Tariq Pervaiz said that the important thing for Pakistan Scrabble Association was that all participants finished in the top-40 out of 89 in the competition.

2012 London Olympics

Pakistan’s participation in the Olympics does not often result in medals and 2012 was no different.

The country was represented in London by the hockey team, two track athletes, a shooter and two swimmers. While hockey was the only realistic chance of a medal, Pakistan’s show in the other disciplines showed how far behind the country
is when compared to the world’s best.

The hockey team finished a disappointing seventh and there was not much to cheer about on the track or in the pool. Pakistan’s show in London should have given officials a harsh dose of reality, driving home the fact that money was needed to improve the country’s show in the global arena.

England whitewash

Few predicted Pakistan to stand up to the English challenge in the UAE. Fewer expected Pakistan to actually win a Test. Nobody, not even the staunchest of supporters, predicted a 3-0 whitewash of the top-ranked Test side in the world.

The batting remained far fromconvincing at times but Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman shared 43 of the 60 wickets to fall to illustrate England’s frailty against quality spin. None of the English batsmen managed to reach the three-figure mark in the three-match series with the lowest point reached when the team was bundled out for just 72 while chasing 144 to win the second Test.

Ju-jitsu Asian Championships

Pakistan ju-jitsu players continued to shine in the Asian Championships with Mohammad Ammar and Abu Huraira defending their men’s double duo system title in Kish Island, Iran and finishing top of their individual categories.

Ammar, the 23-year-old from Karachi, won gold in the -69kg fighting event and a bronze in the -69kg competition. Huraira won gold in the -62kg event and two bronze medals in the belt wrestling freestyle and classic style event. Another highlight of the event was the participation of Sundas Salam as the only female athlete in the championship. She wrapped up her run with a silver medal in the -49kg fighting system and belt wrestling event, while Mohammad Irfan won silver in the -77kg fighting event.

Asian Champions Trophy

Free-scoring Pakistan dethroned India as Asian Champions Trophy winners by thumping them 5-4. The team scored 27 goals in a tournament that mainly  comprised minnows of the hockey world. The Greenshirts got off to a flyer,  thumping Oman 8-3 before beating China 5-2. Pakistan were held 3-3 by Malaysia before losing 2-1 to India. However, a 5-2 win over Japan ensured a place in the final and despite the antics shown by India in the decider, Pakistan ensured the year ended on a high after a long, long time. Winger Waqas Sharif scored 11 goals and picked up the player-of-the-tournament award.

Kabaddi World Cup

Hosts India avenged their Asia Cup loss by bulldozing Pakistan 59-22 in an unexpected one-sided final to claim the 3rd Kabaddi World Cup.  Pakistan players were not even close to their shadow of Asia Cup as stopper Ekam Hathur – the star of final – gave India a solid start. India pocketed INR20m while Pakistan received INR10m. Pakistan coach Tahir Waheed Jutt and captain Musharraf Zaidi levelled serious charges against their counterparts after the defeat but the reality was as it was displayed on the score-sheets — Pakistan were second best on the night.

Kabaddi Asia Cup

Indians do not take defeats lightly. So when their kabaddi team was losing 40-31 to Pakistan in the final of the 2nd Asia Kabaddi Cup, they decided to walk off.

With just 10 minutes remaining,  an Indian raider came for his second consecutive attack. According to the rules, a raider can only attack once and then a different raider has to come. The argument forced team officials to step in but the Indian team walked off, forcing officials to hand the trophy to Pakistan. Earlier, Pakistan defeated Iran 62-41 in their first match and followed it with a 53-21 victory over Nepal.

Deaf Cricket Asia Cup

Pakistan has been the pioneers to introduce cricket for the handicapped and it shows from their efforts for blind, deaf and physically challenged people. The Pakistan deaf team lifted the 2nd Asia Cup beating Sri Lanka by 92 runs in the final played at the Bagh-e-Jinnah Cricket Ground in Lahore. This was not a performance that could be undermined as in the end what matters are titles to any nation.

Revival of a bilateral series

Talks of revival of a bilateral series against India had been part of every talk that PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf had since his takeover. He finally succeeded in convincing the BCCI for a short, five-match series to be played in India and as the hype started growing, so did the level of tension.

The tour got off to a brilliant start as the Twenty20 series was shared after thrilling contests in Bangalore and Ahmedabad. The crowd on both sides of the border loved every minute of the action. The only thing missing was a few Tests to see how Sachin Tendulkar fares against the old foes.

Karachi hosts international cricketers

With Pakistan a no-go area for international cricketers, the news of an unofficial World XI touring brought joy to the nation. It was not the Pakistan Cricket Board but Sindh Sports Minister Dr Mohammad Ali Shah who gave Pakistan renewed hope by hosting
former international players in Karachi.

The event turned out to be a huge success as the travelling players claimed they enjoyed playing in front of the enthusiastic crowd.

2012 World Twenty20 

Pakistan had made it to the semi-finals of every ICC event since the 2007 World Twenty20 and much was expected this time around too. Starting late, Pakistan made immediate impact, especially with the bat. With progress confirmed, Mohammad Hafeez’s men went onto shock South Africa and Australia and, despite the customary loss to India, made it to yet another semi-final. Frailty against left-arm spin was exposed yet again as the hosts defended a low total to seal Pakistan’s exit from the tournament but the efforts of Saeed Ajmal with the ball and Umar Gul with the bat will be long remembered.

Champions Trophy hockey

The 34th edition of Champions Trophy will be remembered for its flawed format, one that guaranteed progress even if a team fails to win any of its group matches. The eight-team event saw Pakistan reach the quarter-finals after beating just Belgium. However, a courageous show against Olympic champions Germany put Pakistan in the running for a medal but a semi-final loss at the hands of the Netherlands meant the Greenshirts had to beat India for bronze. Shakeel Abbasi was named player of the tournament after Pakistan edged out India to grab their first Champions Trophy medal since 2004.

Asia Cup cricket winners

A Virat Kohli master-class ensured Pakistan were shocked by India in the Asia Cup but the resurgence of Nasir Jamshed, and a formidable opening  partnership with Mohammad Hafeez, ensured Pakistan ended up with the Asia Cup trophy, beating hosts Bangladesh in a tight finish.

The hosts did accomplish one of their greatest feats when they outran India and Sri Lanka for a place in the final but their inability to press on with
proceedings when it mattered left them as runners-up. Hafeez ended the tournament as Pakistan’s highest run-scorer while the bowling charts were dominated by Pakistan – the top-three comprised Umar Gul, Aizaz Cheema and Saeed Ajmal.

World amateur snooker championship

Cueist Mohammad Asif was in the form of his life going into the IBSF World Championship after finishing as runner-up in the Dubai International event.

His trip was not sponsored by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) but yet he defied the odds in Sofia, Bulgaria, going through the entire tournament undefeated and lifting the trophy, beating UK’s Gary Wilson 10-8 to become the second Pakistan to become the world amateur snooker champion.

He remained composed in the tournament, evident from his one-sided victory in the semi-final where he thrashed Malta’s Alex Borg 7-1 after defeating Syria’s Mer Alkojah 6-2 in the quarter-finals.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2012.

Freestyle football is a unique sport that has started gaining popularity in Pakistan over the past couple of years. The competition saw participants from places like Peshawar and Quetta flying in for the qualifiers that took place in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. While Tareen acknowledged that it was very difficult for players from Pakistan to match international levels, he was happy just to be there.

“It’s the proudest moment of my life; a dream come true for me,” Tareen told The Express Tribune. “Now that I have a chance, I am going to give it my all and make sure I do well for my country. We have a community of freestylers and we get together to practice and compete. But because of our studies and parental pressure, we are not able to practice regularly. Freestyling is an art that requires hours and hours of practice to perfect and this is something we can’t do because of our academic commitments.”

The 18-year-old started freestyling after watching Cristiano Ronaldo’s videos.

“Ronaldo’s the reason behind me taking up freestyling. I used to watch him perform for hours and then tried to repeat the amazing things he did.”

Inspiration  was the easiest step, the road to Italy was the hardest. Tareen cited lack of support from local clubs and organisations and how his parents oppose his dream of becoming a freestyler.

“Pakistani parents want their kids to become engineers and doctors only. Anything different is not considered a career option at all. Like others, even my parents want me to become an engineer or a doctor. Freestyling for me, unfortunately, is not an option.”

Despite the obstacles, Tareen is upbeat about his chances and is confident of making an impression in the September 20-22 event which will see 80 participants from all over the world.

“In the end, I’d like to tell all freestylers here in Pakistan not to give up on their dreams. There will be difficulties but the important thing is to follow your dreams.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2012.

Manchester City’s last-gasp efforts in England, Dortmund’s dominance in Germany, Real Madrid’s return to power in Spain, Juventus’ success in the Serie A and Chelsea bidding farewell to Drogba amid unbelievable scenes in the Champions League final. The way seasons in Europe panned out, it became the perfect setting for the launch of perhaps the second most important International football event of the world – the Euros.

For just over three weeks, across eight stadiums in Poland and Ukraine, the event will take hold of the collective consciousness of the world of football fans that has been waiting to see the European powers lock horns. The hype and excitement is justified by sweeping a glance across the fixtures in the opening week: Poland faces Euro 2004 champions Greece, Germany taking on Portugal, Italy fight for points against holders and world champions Spain while England will try their luck against France.

Critics have also put the Euros above the World Cup – Out of the 51 teams that took part in the qualifying stages, only the top 16 managed to squeeze their way to the showpiece event, ensuring quality and the competitive spirit that creeps in from the group stages and lasts through tot he final.

A lot has been said and written about favourites with most pointing at Spain once again. The ever-consistent Netherlands and the most successful team at the Euro Championships, Germany, are not that far behind. However, statistics and history counts for nothing once these European giants clash on the pitch to prove their mettle.

The next 24 days will not only be a stage for teams to stamp their authority in Europe but also for the players, who would be looking to raise their stakes in the market. With scouts from around the world expected to keep a close eye on current and upcoming European talent on show, enthusiasts can brace themselves for fireworks at Euro 2012.

Group A

Czech Republic

The Czechs come into the tournament having scored the least number of goals in qualifying (12) among all finalists. But they have Petr Cech, Tomas Rosicky and Milan Baros who can help put up a decent fight. They might find it tough to progress but can manage a few surprises.

Russia

Another dark-horse in major tournaments, the Russian side is a compact unit looking to overpower and squeeze the opposition’s midfield with solid defensive support. With players like Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin and Fulham’s Pavel Pogrebnyak, the team possesses an attack that could fire them to the later stages with ease.

Greece

With a formidable defence, having conceded just five goals during qualifying, Greece can replicate its Euro 2004 tactics of soaking up play and literally boring the opposition into defeat. Those plans can help them progress into the knockouts where, as we saw eight years ago, anything is possible.

Poland

This tournament might have come too soon for co-hosts Poland. Coach Smuda has managed to assemble a team that possesses all the qualities of becoming a top side and will probably hit its prime in 2014. Poland is young, full of energy — a recipe for a successful run.

Group B

Portugal

Always coming close but going home disappointed, Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Nani, are a force to be reckoned with. With proven players like Fábio Coentrão and Hélder Postiga, Portugal’s first challenge will be to progress from the group.

Germany

The star-studded Germans stand in good stead for the title. Their strength will be the midfield – Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira. Veterans like Philipp Lahm and Manuel Neuer and a strike-force of Lukas Podolski and Mario Gomez add spark and could propel Germany to glory.

Denmark

Perhaps the weakest team in the group, Denmark might struggle to stay alive. The side has spunk and thrives on a dynamic spirit that pushes it to perform. In addition, Daniel Agger, Christian Eriksen, Simon Kjaer and Dennis Rommedahl will prove vital.

Netherlands 

After coming incredibly close to winning the 2010 World Cup, the Dutch come in as one of the favourites. Robin Van Persie’s current form, Huntelaar wit and Luuk de Jong, as a substitute, are capable of anything. With goal-scoring midfielders like Wesley Sneijder, Rafael Van Der Vaart, Arjen Robben, and Dirk Kuyt, Netherlands are in good hands.

Group C

Republic of Ireland

An unknown entity in the competition even though they are ranked 18th, Republic of Ireland feature a host of players from the Premiership. Stars like Robbie Keane and a tactically astute coach in Giovanni Trapattoni, they could really be a surprise package if they can make it past out a very tough group.

Croatia

An underrated team which brings out its best when challenged by best. Croatia has plenty of talent throughout the squad and their A-game can be a real problem for any opposition. Blessed with Luka Modric, Nico Krancjar, Ivan Perisic, and captain Darijo Srna, Croatia’s success starts and ends with the midfield.

Italy

With Italy under a cloud of match-fixing, the former World Champions might find it difficult to press on with their high-pressing tactics and a short-passing, possession-based style. With Mario Balotelli, Antonio Cassano and Sebastian Giovinco in the side, Italy are looking to play a high-paced, technical game.

Spain

Perhaps the most talented and technically gifted team in the tournament, World Champions Spain’s attack comprises Xavi, Mata, Silva, and Iniesta. You would expect the holders to be the team to beat. Anything but the final would be a disappointment for Spain but the loss of Puyol and Villa could be telling.

Group D

France

France may not have the kind of togetherness or talent of 1998, the side looks to have veered sharply from the shambles that coach Domenech left them in. France approach the tournament in good stead and with players like Karim Benzema, Frank Ribery and Patrice Evra, it could be the potential dark-horse for Euro 2012.

Ukraine

Ukraine might have lost their pedigree over the last few years but they do possess stars that could aid their campaign. A lot will depend on Andry Shevchenko who would be hoping, along with the rest of the nation, that his scoring ability returns. However, considering the group, very few would give them a chance.

England

Never short of stars but failing miserably in major events. Led by Liverpool talisman Steven Gerrard, England would be looking to forget heartbreaks of the past and making amends at this year’s Euros. If they can convert the fire power – Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Ashley Cole – they will be a force to reckon with.

Sweden

The Swedes have a tricky path to the knockouts. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the world’s  premier strikers and he should get favourable service playing in front of Kim Kallstrom, Sebastian Larsson and Christian Wilhemsson. With questions hovering over England, Sweden could be poised for a spot in the knockouts.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8^th, 2012.