Napier: It was a contest between a movable object and a stoppable force as Pakistan took on UAE at the quiet seaside town of Napier in New Zealand yesterday. The crowd for a World Cup match, first (of three) at Napier in this edition of the tournament, drew such poor crowd that at one point there were more media personnel and volunteers than the fans in the stands.


Pakistan players celebrate a UAE wicket yesterday. Pic/AP/PTI 

Pakistan have stuttered and sputtered in this tournament, a lot of their problems arising out of a fragile top order. UAE have tried gamely, but they were always going to be a push over against established cricketing powers. Even a side story of two former Pakistani compatriots and now opposing head coaches — Aaqib Javed and Waqar Younis — could bring life in to this sedate affair.