While you can make a case for a couple of upsets in the group stages of the World Cup, there is little or no chance of any such happenings in Group D where the hosts, West Indies, and Pakistan should have no trouble reaching the last eight. The two favourites meet in the opening match of the tournament in the Jamaican capital of Kingston. Both teams have struggled recently, but let's consider the four group contenders more closely:

Ireland:
They are one of the better sides to qualify for the World Cup but their confidence would have been shaken by their poor performance at the World Cricket League tournament ,where they only managed a solitary win against Bermuda.

Like many of the qualifying nations, Ireland do have more than their share of foreign-born players, with most of those born and bred in Australia. But the most interesting talent is home-grown. Eoin Morgan, who plays county cricket for Middlesex, already has an ODI average of 66 and a strike rate of 84, while the Irish will be hoping that William Porterfield can continue the impressive start to his international career that has already yielded two centuries in only seven games.

There's a remote chance of a win over Zimbabwe, but the main aim for Ireland will be to put in a solid showing to build a foundation on for future years.

Pakistan:
A World Cup wouldn't be a World Cup without a controversy involving Pakistan, and this addition is no different.
The late “injury” withdrawals of opening bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Asif months after the doping scandal that surrounded them has left many questioning, rightly or wrongly, the true reason behind their omission. Add the loss of Abdul Razzaq and the guts have been ripped out of the Pakistani bowling and with it their trophy hopes.

Mohammed Yousuf and Younis Khan are the foundations that the Pakistani side will be built around but to push for a spot in the semi-finals they will need a big series from the enigmatic but never dull Shahid Afridi and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq in what will surely be his last World Cup

Given the Jekyll and Hyde show that is Pakistan, no-one will be taking them lightly, but the talent that is missing makes them one of the long shots of the more established nations

West Indies:
The hosts did well to reach the final in the ICC Champions Trophy last year but it has been all downhill from there for the Calypso Kings. Recent form dictates otherwise, but with home advantage they are still in with a very good chance of winning the trophy.

When on song the Windies have quite a strong batting line-up and this will be their key. Captain Brian Lara and Chris Gayle are capable of making big scores quickly and Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul can cut up even the best bowling attacks. Classy young all-rounder Dwayne Bravo will be a key with the ball and can add polish to the innings with the bat as well.

Sadly the Windies found the wrong time for their form to desert them and once they are in a rut they do find it difficult to get back into form. But at their best they can be one of the most entertaining sides in the game.

Zimbabwe:
Much like everything else in the trouble-plagued nation, cricket has fallen into a state of disarray. Allegations of corruption and mismanagement and a mass player exodus since the 2003 World Cup has left the sport in Zimbabwe on the brink.

As a result, Zimbabwe are now a non-active Test nation and only play one-day matches against Bangladesh, Kenya and the qualifiers. On the positive side, results show that despite going into free-fall they are still a class above the smaller nations and their national side has been more stable in the past 18 months, giving them their best chance of making something of this tournament under the circumstances. Sadly, they have a meagre chance of reaching the Super Eights and absolutely no chance of winning the tournament.

Is it that easy for West Indies and Pakistan? Let us have your thoughts at Sportingo.