Farokh Engineer: A Cakewalk For India

India were expected to beat United Arab Emirates today and they did. It was a World Cup cakewalk for them.

Now, while that game wasn't very close, we were treated to another thriller in Auckland where New Zealand beat Australia by one wicket. It just shows how competitive these two teams are and I see them, South Africa and India reaching the semi-finals.

India have been impressive in the field and that's great for them because normally their fielding let's them down but this time they have done very well indeed.

With Rohit Sharma finding some form and Ravichandran Ashwin taking four wickets, India's win ticked all the boxes. I think Sharma was due to get some runs and Ashwin, with his four wickets, bowled very well. He really loved the bounce at the WACA - apart from turn, bounce is one of the main weapons in a spinner's armoury.

How well has Ashwin been bowling? He's been bowling economically, and he's a brilliant off-spinner, one of the best in the world.

The next challenge for India is to play the West Indies, who have been hit or miss. With them, you are talking about a one-man batting line-up. If Chris Gayle gets going he's capable of murdering any bowling but the Indian bowlers have worked out how to bowl to him.

If they get Gayle out cheaply, they will expect to get West Indies out cheaply and they are certainly favourites for that one.

We've seen some other brilliant games in this past week including Afghanistan beating Scotland by one wicket. I've been impressed with Afghanistan, who have fought marvellously. They have been a credit to the tournament and it goes to show that the ICC should get these teams to play the established teams.

It's no good complaining that the World Cup will be too long with the associates involved - when else are they going to get an opportunity to improve themselves by playing the best teams?

That is the only way you can improve, by coming up against and watching a higher standard of cricketers.

All credit to the associates - Afghanistan, Scotland, UAE have been good, and not forgetting Ireland, who have played superbly. They made a strong statement about coming over to Australia and New Zealand to win and you can't help but admire their spirit.

Now they are third in the pool, ahead of West Indies and indeed Pakistan, who are struggling after losing two games. Granted they still have to play UAE and Ireland but I think they may struggle to qualify.

They play Zimbabwe next and I have to say I fancy Zimbabwe to win that one. The way Zimbabwe have been playing, and the way Pakistan have been playing, I would make Zimbabwe favourites, frankly.

Pakistan blow hot and cold but in this tournament, it's been cold all the way.

Lycamobile ambassador Farokh Engineer was talking to John Pennington

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