PROFESSOR Stephen Hawking, renowned mathematician, theoretical physicist and cosmologist, has taken the seat of Paul the Octopus and predicted England's chances of winning the World Cup in Brazil. Being a theoretical physicist, he claims to be “marginally more qualified to make predictions than Paul the Octopus.”
Unfortunately, Paul is no more and unable to accept the challenge of Stephen Hawking. Paul had neither any formal education nor any modern tool available at his disposal to make the predictions. Stephen used all of his knowledge of mathematics, theoretical physics and cosmology. He also had access to high speed computers, information superhighway and all the research facilities at the University of Cambridge.
Stephen found several factors that will influence the English team in Rio. These include playing a 4-3-3 formation, wearing red shirts and persuading the blondest players to take the penalties. A five-degree increase in temperature reduces England's chances of winning by 59%. He also discovered England are 22% more likely to win short-haul games and that jet-lag, cultural differences, the nationality of the referee and shirt colour take their toll. They are better close to sea-level and kicking off as near to 3 pm as possible. In red, England have a 20% higher rate of success, fitting the theory that red makes teams feel “more confident, more aggressive and more dominant.” According to Stephen, European referees are more sympathetic to the English.
Stephen talked about many things but made no definite prediction. He, however, thinks Brazil will win the cup as “more than 30% of World Cups have been won by the host nation.” It seems the theoretical physicist is not so confident like he is on radiations from black holes or quantum mechanics.  He admits: “All science, mathematics and rational thought go out of the window. I am an Englishman and I will be cheering our boys all the way to the final in Rio.” Obviously, he is biased. Paul was impartial, in spite of serious risks to his life.
Paul never minced words. He made the predictions without any ambiguity and the whole world took note of it. We will miss Paul at the World Cup in Brazil. I am sorry, Stephen, you can't steal the show like Paul did!
By the way, Paul never stepped into the shoes of Stephen and made no comment on his works in theoretical physics or cosmology. If he did, could he re-write the history of time or be a contender for a Nobel Prize in physics?
Well. Who am I to answer? I am neither Paul nor Stephen.

The writer is a former chief engineer of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission.