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Sydney, Mar 10(ANI): Noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck has urged the cricketing world against jumping at shadows over the Pakistan-New Zealand World Cup clash, saying that it was ‘a fine match that found a worthy winner’ in which the Kiwis were splendid and Pakistan had a bad day.

New Zealand had registered a massive 110 run win in Tuesday’s Group A game in Kandy, where they plundered a staggering 114 runs from their final six overs to post 302-7 in 50 overs. Pakistan never really got going in reply before eventually being dismissed for 192 from 42.1 overs.

“Pakistan, or at least a handful of players, are supposed to have underperformed deliberately against New Zealand. It is the merest conjecture. Shahid Afridi and his side tried their guts out and were given a towelling by a competent Kiwi outfit that produced its best performance of the tournament,” Roebuck said in his syndicated column for the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Pakistan bowled well for 40 overs and then fell apart. Not that the Pakistanis can complain about the raised eyebrows. Stenches linger.”

“If anything, the contest in Kandy was a reminder that this World Cup remains wide open. A critic could name four sides and not be confident of picking the winner. As expected, the eight leading teams will reach the quarters and after that it’s anyone’s game. And that includes Pakistan and New Zealand,” he added.

Roebuck further said that far from picking holes in the contest, Kandy provided an opportunity to celebrate the game.

“A picturesque new stadium has been built out of town, replacing a smaller, old ground attached to a local school, a large, vibrant crowd turned up, paying their 30 cents entrance fee and cheerfully entering into the spirit of the occasion, and the pitch was a ripper, giving all parties a fair chance,” Roebuck said. (ANI)