Cricket Twist

'I was banned without being given a chance' - Younis

2010-05-26T04:57:00.002+05:00

Younis Khan, the former Pakistan captain who has been banned indefinitely by the PCB, denied having created any problems within the team and hoped to make a comeback to the national fold.

"I was banned without being given a chance to clarify my position and I want justice because I want to play for my country again," Younis told the parliamentary committee investigating Pakistan's performance during the disastrous tour of Australia.

Younis stepped down as captain and player ahead of the tour to New Zealand, which preceded the Australia series, over differences with his team-mates. He missed the Australia Tests, and did not make an impact during the ODIs under Mohammad Yousuf's leadership. Following the tour, PCB came down strongly on seven national players, including Younis who was banned for creating infighting within the team - an accusation he staunchly refused.

"I pointed out problems within the team to the PCB and they banned me. [Shoaib] Malik thought that I contrived to replace him as captain, which wasn't true. My career has been derailed because of this ban and although I am getting offers to play in England and South Africa, I want to play for my country, for my people," Younis said.

Six of the seven punished cricketers, barring Yousuf who has since announced his retirement, have lodged formal appeals against PCB's punishment. The appeals are now being evaluated by an independent arbitrator, Irfan Qadir, a retired high court judge. Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, assured the committee that the PCB would review their sanctions based on the findings of the arbitrator.

Butt also came out in support of Younis, appreciating his commitment to the national side. "Younis is a patriot and has always played for the country and I am sad that his career was derailed by same baseless allegations of match-fixing by a parliamentary committee member," Butt said. Younis' appeal is set to be heard on May 29. ( Source )

Afridi named Pakistan skipper for Asia Cup, England

2010-05-26T04:49:00.003+05:00

LAHORE: Dashing all-rounder Shahid Afridi was on Tuesday named Pakistan skipper for next month's Asia Cup and the following tour of England, uniting the team under one captain for all three formats of the game.

The 30-year-old Afridi, who led Pakistan to a semi-final finish in the World Twenty20 this month, was seen as the natural choice for all three forms of the game and -- more importantly -- someone who can unify the players.

"Afridi will lead Pakistan in one-day and Test cricket and is our best choice," said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ejaz Butt.

He becomes the latest in a line of Pakistan Test captains since Shoaib Malik took over from retired Inzamam-ul-Haq in 2007, followed by Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf.

"It is a great challenge to lead the team in all forms of the game," said Afridi, made Twenty20 skipper after Younis retired from the shortest form of the game following the team's World T20 title win last year.

"I will try to do my best and take all the players as a unit and build towards winning the World Cup," said Afridi, referring to the 50-over tournament to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh between February and April next year.

Pakistan suffered a leadership crisis after several players fell out with Younis, who was forced to relinquish the captaincy and pull out of the team's tour of New Zealand in November.

Yousuf replaced Younis for New Zealand and the following tour of Australia, where the team lost all three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20, resulting in Yousuf not being retained.

Following the tour, the PCB banned Yousuf and Younis indefinitely "over infighting in the team over captaincy", while Malik and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan were banned for one year each and heavily fined.

Afridi and the Akmal brothers -- Kamran and Umar -- were also fined heavily and the trio kept under a six-month probation over breaches of discipline during the Australia tour.

Except for Yousuf, who retired in protest at the ban, all six players have appealed. A one-man arbitrator is dealing with the appeals, with the PCB on Monday promising a review of the penalties soon.

Pakistan feature in the four-nation Asia Cup in Sri Lanka from June 15-24 before proceeding to a two-and-a-half-month tour of England, where they play two Twenty20 matches and two Tests against Australia.

They then play England in four Tests, five one-day and two Twenty20 matches in a tour which finishes late September.

The PCB later named a 35-man preliminary squad for both the tours, including banned Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik, subject to their clearance from the arbitrator. ( Source )

35 probables named for Asia cup, tour of England

2010-05-26T04:40:00.000+05:00

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee has announced here on Tuesday 35 probable players for the forthcoming Asia Cup and the tour of England.

Allrounder Shahid Afridi will lead the national team in all three formats of cricket whereas former captains Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik were conditionally included in the probables list. They will be selected only after the ban on them is lifted.

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has also been named for the probable squad.

The names were announced by chief selector Mohsin Khan at a press conference along with chairman PCB Ijaz Butt and captain Shahid Afridi.

Other probable players are: Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez, Abdul Razzaq, Mohammad Aamer, Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami, Yasir Arafat, Abdul Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Faisal Iqbal, Fawad Alam, Hasan Raza, Azeem Ghumman, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Irfan, Yasir Hameed, Shah Zeb Hasan,
Zulfiqar, Zulqarnain Haider, Khurram Manzoor, Asad Shafiq, Tanveer Ahmed, Aizaz Cheema, Aamir Sajjad, Azhar Ali, Umar Amin.

Chairman PCB said that the 17 players for the tour of England would also be selected from these players and the final team would be announced next month.

Replying to a question, he told that Mohammad Yousuf has not been considered as he retired and he may be included in the team if he comes out of his retirement.

Ijaz Butt said that the camp would probably be held in Karachi.

Shahid Afridi said that the tour of England is a difficult task and there should not be much expectations.

To a question, he replied that he has pressure but a complete player can be made after bearing pressure.

Mohsin Khan said that all the players would go through a fitness test before the final selection. ( Source )

Ijaz Butt plays down reports of match-fixing

2010-05-21T21:55:00.002+05:00

KARACHI: Pakistan's cricket chief Friday played down reports of match-fixing during the team's disastrous tour of Australia, saying the game's governing body has found no evidence of wrongdoing.

The International Cricket Council's (ICC) anti-corruption unit confirmed on Thursday that it has been investigating Pakistan's Sydney Test defeat against Australia but said the challenge was finding solid facts.

Pakistan lost the Sydney Test in January by 36 runs, after gaining a first-innings lead of 206 and failing to chase a modest target of 176 runs.

MPs on Friday summoned officials for further investigation after leaked video footage of a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) inquiry showed players and former officials raising suspicions about match-fixing on the Australia tour.

The parliamentary committee will meet in Islamabad on Monday and also decide whether to appoint independent judges to investigate the allegations.

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, Australia tour coach Intikhab Alam, team manager Abdul Raqeeb, former captain Younus Khan and former chief selector Iqbal Qasim are expected to attend Monday's meeting.

Butt said no evidence of match-fixing had been found by the PCB.

"ICC has all the right to investigate any series or any match, but as far as the Australia tour is concerned the ICC has already said there was no evidence," Butt said.

Butt said an independent PCB committee has already investigated the matter.

"We set up a committee to evaluate the Australian tour and now an independent judge is further dealing with the matter, so we will wait for his report," said Butt.

After Pakistan lost all three Tests, all five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match in Australia, the PCB formed a committee to look into the team's poor performances and off-field problems.

The committee, which also took into account discipline problems on the preceding tours of New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, banned former captain Younus Khan and Mohammad Yousuf for indefinite periods.

Another former captain Shoaib Malik and allrounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan were banned for one year and fined heavily. Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal were also fined heavily.

But the PCB said penalties were imposed because of discipline problems and not for match-fixing.

Butt refused to comment on the footage leaked to the media this week, saying he had just returned from tours of the West Indies and England, and would comment only after hearing feedback from PCB officials.
( Source )

Notice to cricketers in 'pub brawl'

2010-05-18T23:01:00.001+05:00

NEW DELHI: Six India cricketers have been asked to explain about an alleged brawl in a bar during the World Twenty20 in the West Indies.

Press Trust of India said on Tuesday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India has asked Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Rohit Sharma, Piyush Chawla and Ravindra Jadeja to respond to within seven days.

Reportedly, the cricketers “were in a bar when fans started taunting and abusing them for their failure to reach the semifinals and the cricketers reacted leading to the brawl,'' PTI said.

Yuvraj and Nehra have denied any incident took place.

India lost all three of its Super Eight matches and failed to qualify for the semifinals.

T20 champs England accorded warm welcome at home

2010-05-18T22:58:00.001+05:00

LONDON: England after winning the ICC World Twenty20 title received warm welcome on returning home here on Tuesday.

England captain Paul Collingwood believes his side's ICC World Twenty20 triumph is just as significant as their Ashes win over Australia last year.

Collingwood led England to their first ever success in a global tournament as his team defeated Australia by seven wickets in the World Twenty20 final on Sunday.

And the Durham batsman is convinced England's victory over their old rivals in Barbados is the equal of last year's Ashes victory as it has lifted a major weight off his players' shoulders.

Collingwood insists beating the Australia team again was a massive boost to England's confidence ahead of the Ashes tour later this year.

"Of course it's different to Ashes. But in the last five years we've done well against them (Australia)," he said.

"It's a different form of the game to the Ashes - it only takes three hours and the tournament only went for a couple of weeks - but there's still all that preparation work you've got to do.

Kevin Pietersen, who played a major role in England victory in the final said that intensive training in Bangladesh revived his form in the World T20.

England are World Twenty20 champions

2010-05-17T00:17:00.004+05:00

BRIDGETOWN: England won a major limited overs international title for the first time in history when they defeated their arch rivals Australia by seven wickets in the final of the third World Twenty20 here at the Kensington Oval on Sunday.

Chasing a modest target of 148 runs, England had little trouble in reaching the target as they got it in 17 overs for the loss of three wickets after putting Australia into bat.

Opener Craig Kieswetter top scored with 63 while Kevin Pietersen made 47 and both added 111 runs for the second wicket partnership after England lost Michel Lumb for only seven runs on the board.

Earlier, David Hussey struck an intelligent 59 as Australia clawed their way back from a dreadful start to make 147 for six.

Australia were in serious trouble at eight for three and made only 24 runs from the opening six over powerplay.

The stuttering start began when Shane Watson was caught by Graeme Swann at slip off Ryan Sidebottom after keeper Craig Kieswetter had spilled the ball.

Hard-hitting left-hander Dave Warner was run out after a hesitant call from skipper Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin was controversially ruled caught behind when replays showed Sidebottom's leg-side delivery brushed his hip.

After Clarke went, superbly caught by Paul Collingwood off the excellent Graeme Swann, Cameron White (30 off 21) and Hussey led the recovery with a 50-run partnership in 6.2 overs.

David Hussey had been dropped by Stuart Broad when on just 25 but Broad made amends by taking a fine catch to remove the dangerous White.

Mike Hussey, whose sensational 60 against Pakistan earned Australia their place in the final, joined his brother and the pair put on 47 from 22 balls to help take Australia, bidding for a unique treble of one-day titles, to a competitive score.

Australia 147/6 in World T20 final

2010-05-16T22:30:00.003+05:00

Bridgetown: A half-century inning by David Hussey helped Australia post a face-saving 147/6 against old-foes England in the summit clash of the ICC World T20 here at the Kensington Oval on Sunday.

After winning the toss and electing to field first, England set off to a dream start as they ripped three crucial wickets in the first three overs of the match to reduce the Aussie to 8/3.

Ryan Sidebottom became the star for England as he first dismissed opener Shane Watson for merely a couple of runs in the first over by getting him caught by Graeme Swann, and then removing Brad Haddin (1) in the third over by getting him caught by wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter.

Meanwhile, Michael Lumb gave a major setback to the Australians as a direct hit to the stumps left David Warner a few steps short of the crease, and thus, was run-out for just two runs in the second over.

Standing at a rickety position, Michael Clarke and David Hussey tried to elevate their run-rate but failed miserably as England bowlers maintained a tight grip on their opponents. In the 10th over, Australia received another major blow as England skipper Paul Collingwood took a brilliant catch off Swann’s delivery to dismiss Clarke for 27 runs.

The (Cameron) ‘White’ charm to did not last long for Australia as he too lost his wicket to Stuart Broad who got him caught by Luke Wright.

However, the Hussey brothers, David and Michael, kept on struggling till the very end. David added 59 runs, his third T20 International half-century, to finally conclude Australia’s innings at 147/6.

World T20 final: England win toss, field against Australia

2010-05-16T21:44:00.002+05:00

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: England captain Paul Collingwood won the toss and elected to field against Australia in the World Twenty20 final at the Kensington Oval here on Sunday.

Both sides are unchanged from their respective semi-final wins in St Lucia, where England beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets on Thursday and Australia defeated defending champions Pakistan by three wickets, in a thrilling match that went to the penultimate ball, on Friday.

This is a first World Twenty20 final for both Australia, unbeaten at the tournament so far, and England.

But whereas Australia have won four World Cups, the latest on this ground three years ago, and a Champions Trophy, England have never triumphed in the final of a major international one-day tournament.

Teams
Australia: David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (captain), David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Cameron White, Brad Haddin (wk), Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait, Dirk Nannes.

England: Michael Lumb, Craig Kieswetter (wk), Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood (capt), Eoin Morgan, Luke Wright, Tim Bresnan, Michael Yardy, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom

Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Billy Doctrove (WI), TV umpire: Billy Bowden (NZ)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SL).

England, Australia clash for WT20 supremacy

2010-05-16T05:03:00.003+05:00

Australia's brute batting force and consistent bowling would be put through a stern test against a spirited England when the two Ashes rivals clash in the finals of the World Twenty20 here on Sunday.

Australia go into the match with sky-high confidence after chasing down a seemingly improbable 191 against Pakistan in the semifinals last night.

But it would hardly be a stroll in the park for Michael Clarke's men as England have played some outstanding cricket in the championship and just like Australia, they have been unbeaten since the Super Eights stage.

England, who were hardly seen as title contenders before the start of the tournament, have been a revelation with an array of attacking batsmen and bowling all-rounders.

They bat deep and have bowled with purpose and discipline right through the competition. Their fielding has been good as well.

But Paul Collingwood's men cannot match the Australians in talent and versality despite having the tenacity and confidence to take on their arch-rivals.

However, the fast and bouncy Kensington Oval wicket will pose a challenge to the English batsman, who haven't faced the kind of pace which Dirk Nannes and Shaun Tait generate, in this competition yet.

The tearaway Australian quicks have consistently bowled at over 145 kph and have extracted disconcerting bounce from the bone-hard surface.

But this being their first major championship final in six years, England would be as keen as Australia to take the title back home. But to achieve that, they would have to play their best cricket yet.

"The boys have been responding well every time. The batsmen on top of the order have been giving great starts. Sometimes we need to finish the pieces of jigsaw," said Collingwood.

"We have very good players. We have selected players on potential and they have done fantastically well. We are confident they can deliver," he added.

Clarke, meanwhile, also has his eyes firmly set on the elusive Cup.

"We have worked hard over the last 12 months to win the one cup that we haven't. The boys are keen that we achieve what we had set out for. So we will come and play our best cricket," said Clarke.

But the Australian captain admitted that England would be a hard team to beat and the one man they would have to watch out for is Kevin Pietersen, who is in excellent form.

The hard-hitting batsman, who recently became a father, has scores of 72 not out, 53 and 42 not out in the last three innings.

Clarke said the key to Australia's success would be to get rid of Pietersen at the start of the innings.

"Kevin (Pietersen) is a wonderful player in each form of the game. He has been hitting the ball well here. To get him out early would be good for us," averred Clarke.

Pietersen has dominated the bowlers, even stepping out and hitting the fast bowlers over the top with impunity. It will be interesting to watch how the Aussies tame his aggression.

"As this event has shown they are very competitive. They have great talent and have plenty of match-winners. It will not be easy to beat them," said Clarke about the challenge awaiting his team.

Considering the form that Shane Watson, David Warner, Cameron White and Michael Hussey are in, Clarke has little to worry on the batting front. But the skipper would be slightly concerned about his own form as he is yet to strike big in the event.

England have a decent pace attack with Stuart Broad being the in-form strike bowler.

The two teams have ended the sub-continental supremacy in the event and given the history between the two rivals, the contest promises to be an exciting one but Australia go in as favourites as their team has the depth to deal with England's tenacity.

Clarke eyes Australia clean sweep against England

2010-05-16T04:53:00.003+05:00

BRIDGETOWN: Australia head into the World Twenty20 final against arch-rivals England at the Kensington Oval here on Sunday desperate to win the lone major title that has so far eluded them.

It was at Kensington that Australia won the fourth, and third on the trot, of its World Cup trophies, three years ago when they beat Sri Lanka in a match now best remembered for being played out in farcical scenes of near total blackness after match officials misinterpreted the rules.

Until recently Australia —who last year won the Champions Trophy in South Africa —rather like England, have tended to regard Twenty20 as something of a sideshow.

Test skipper Ricky Ponting has now opted out of international Twenty20s while last year's first round loss under the star batsman at the World Twenty20 in England was brushed aside by coming during an Ashes tour.

However, Michael Clarke's team - which features several Twenty20 specialists - are determined to set the record straight and that, rather than the prospect of getting one over on England ahead of the Ashes series that starts in Australia in November, appears to be their main motivation.

“I'm stoked we are in the final,” Clarke said Saturday. “We have come a long way in this form of the game. But we didn't come here to make the final; we came here to win the final.

“I think we have achieved a lot as a team, but it would be extra special tomorrow to top it off with a victory. It would be fantastic.

“There's no doubt we'd be much happier leaving Barbados with that one last trophy we don't have just yet.”

However, Clarke stressed victory on Sunday would be no consolation for Australia's 2-1 Ashes series loss in England last year.

“It won't make up for it, but it would be a fantastic start to what is going to be a great summer back at home,” he said.

“I'm certain every Australian and every English person loves seeing that battle. It's always tough cricket, in any form of the game.

“I'm certain tomorrow will be no different. So for now, it's about focusing on a huge game - a final - against a very good team.”

Australia were all but out of the tournament during Friday's semi-final against defending champions Pakistan in St Lucia yet won by three wickets thanks to a remarkable late run-spree led by Michael Hussey's boundary-laden 60 not out.

Afterwards, Clarke said the win was proof that Australia “never know when we are beaten” and the captain said his side could draw strength from that result, if required, on Sunday.

“I think we need to understand and accept that game's gone. But just keep in the back of your mind that what we showed the other day could happen out here as well.

“In our minds, we need to be very confident that we're never out of the game; we always have a chance.”

Australia script unbelievable win over Pakistan

2010-05-15T05:02:00.004+05:00

GROS ISLET: Michael Hussey's latest rescue mission saw Australia beat defending champions Pakistan by three wickets with just a ball to spare to reach the World Twenty20 final here on Friday.

Set a huge 192 to win, Australia collapsed to 62 for four.

But, initially through Cameron White, who made 43, and Hussey's unbeaten 60, they recovered and will now face old rivals England in Sunday's final at Barbados's Kensington Oval.

Australia needed 18 to win off the last over, from off-spinner Saeed Ajmal. Mitchell Johnson took a single off the first ball and then Hussey took over.

The left-hander pulled Ajmal for six, struck him over long-on for six more, brought the scores level with a four and thumped another six for good measure as Australia finished on 197 for seven.

The man-of-the-match faced just 24 balls, but hit six sixes and three fours.

Brothers Kamran and Umar Akmal both scored fifties as Pakistan piled up 191 for six.

Opener Kamran's 50 and younger brother Umar's even more rapid 56 not out came against an Australia side, yet to lose at this tournament, which had thrashed them by 34 runs in a first round group match.

Australia, set a huge 192 to win, slumped to 23 for two.

Left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer, who led the attack with three wickets for 35 runs, struck twice to remove Australia openers David Warner (nought) and Shane Watson (16).

And when wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal completed two neat stumpings off left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman and leg-spinner captain Shahid Afridi to dismiss Brad Haddin and captain Michael Clarke respectively, Australia were 62 for four inside nine overs.

David Hussey and White staged a brief revival before the former was caught and bowled by Rehman to leave his team 105 for five in the 13th over.

White though kept swinging away but when he drove an Aamer full toss straight to Mohammad Hafeez at long-off, to end a game innings of 43, featuring five sixes, Australia were 139 for six in the 17th over.

Australia though, thanks to Michael Hussey, kept going to seal a superb come-from-behind win.

Earlier, Warner was out second ball when he cut Aamer to Umar Akmal at backward point before Watson drove the bowler directly to Abdur Rehman at long-on.

Pakistan, sent in by Australia captain Michael Clarke after rain delayed the start, saw their innings start with a Dirk Nannes maiden.

But Kamran Akmal and left-hander Salman Butt (32) shared a first-wicket stand of 82 as Australia's pace trio of Nannes, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson failed to make an early breakthrough.

Pakistan then cashed in against Australia's second-string bowlers with all-rounder Watson's two overs costing 26 runs and leg-spinner Steven Smith conceding 23 from two.

Nannes's second over saw the match's first boundaries when Kamran Akmal, stepping away to leg, lofted him high over the covers. Next ball he drove straight down the ground for another four.

Smith's first over went for 15 runs, including a massive Kamran Akmal six.

The spinner was replaced by Watson but his first ball back was driven for another huge six by Kamran Akmal.

The keeper, giving himself room, then cover-drove the fifth ball for four and, off the last, cut the medium-pacer for another boundary to complete a fine fifty off just 32 balls with two sixes and six fours.

But he was out for 50 after Warner, running round from the extra-cover boundary, took a fine diving catch off Johnson.

Umar Akmal smashed Johnson for two enormous sixes, the second a crunching pull over midwicket that saw him to fifty in just 29 balls, with four sixes and two fours.

Australia win toss and field against Pakistan

2010-05-14T21:19:00.002+05:00

GROS ISLET, Saint Luci: Australia captain Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to field against Pakistan in the World Twenty20 semi-final at the Beausejour Stadium here on Friday.

Australia were unchanged from the side that knocked hosts the West Indies out of the tournament with a six-wicket win here on Tuesday.

Defending champions Pakistan were also unchanged from the team that defeated South Africa by 11 runs, at Beausejour on Monday.

Rain delayed the scheduled 11am local time (1500GMT) toss by 40 minutes.

However, organisers have given themselves an additional two hours in which to complete this match, which means that not until approximately 1.30pm (1730GMT) will the fixture start being reduced from a 20 overs per side contest if the semi-final has not already started by then.

Should no result at all be possible because of bad weather, Australia will be in the final as they have won more matches at the tournament than Pakistan.

The teams have already met once in this competition, with Australia beating Pakistan by 34 runs in a first round group clash here on May 2.

Whoever wins this match will face England in Sunday's final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, after Paul Collingwood's side convincingly defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the first semi-final at Beausejour here on Thursday.

Teams
Australia: David Warner, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), Michael Clarke (captain), David Hussey, Cameron White, Michael Hussey, Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait, Dirk Nannes

Pakistan: Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal (wk), Mohammad Hafeez, Shahid Afridi (captain), Umar Akmal, Misbah-ul-Haq, Khalid Latif Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman,
Mohammad Aamer, Saeed Ajmal

Umpires: Billy Doctrove (WI) and Ian Gould (ENG), TV umpire: Billy Bowden (NZ)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SL)

Australia pakistan 2nd semi-final in t20 world cup 2010 today

2010-05-14T06:20:00.002+05:00

Unbeaten in five starts and having had Pakistan's ploy in recent months, Australia heads into Saturday morning's ICC world Twenty20 semi-final repercussion St Lucia as a boiling favorite to qualify being the decider.

So dominant in the elapsed decade agency objection and one-day cricket, having won the past three 50-over World Cups along the way, Australia hasn't been the same intimidating bustle in the newest hatch of the game.

It did make the semis of this tournament weight its inaugural edition dominion India three years ago but then bowed out supremacy straight sets last year in England, having vanished to the West Indies and then Sri Lanka.

That humbling exit forced a once-over from selectors and they admitted they needed to choose teams more suited to the Twenty20 arena. That resulted in the sentence of the likes of double time bowler kukri Nannes also all-rounder Steve Smith.

Having played for the Netherlands at last year's ICC World Twenty20 when he missed out on selection through Australia, Nannes has been a revelation since creation his Australian debut later in 2009 on the tour of England.

In 10 matches because Australia he has taken 20 wickets, including a tournament-leading 13 so sunk esteem the West Indies at the miserly hackneyed of 9.38. His first-rate effort was the 4-18 he took against Bangladesh while he besides grabbed 3-25 against India.

Opening the bowling in body with Nannes, Shaun Tait has picked up eight wickets of his own while Smith continues to impress having further 3-20 against the West Indies that give him nine for the tournament.

And with Mitchell Johnson playing his part with eight wickets and part-timer David Hussey providing useful back-up with five scalps, Michael Clarke has rarely of options at his disposal.

Pakistan may have gone pastime the plight because defending promoter but considering its disappointing results power Australia in 2009/10 and that multifarious players were suspended for their behaviour on that tour, approach the last four is an impressive effort.

Shahid Afridi's span opened with a 21-run get because Bangladesh again that perform was enough to advance even though embodied ergo succumbed to Australia.

In the Super Eights Pakistan went down by six wickets to England again by a run to New Zealand giving it singular single attain from its culminating four starts force the tournament but the 11-run defeat of South Africa was enough to alimony the term security alive thanks to a superior net run rate.

If Australia plays unraveling to the form it has shown so fathomless in the tournament original should comfortably opine Pakistan's measure, just as factual did in each of the nine matches the teams played across all three forms of the rush during the Australian summer.

That result could in consequence also generate to a dream final match-up against England which overcame a loss to the West Indies also abandoned sparring match pressure the preliminary round to revolve eradicate Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand and sign progress a semi-final berth on Friday morning against Sri Lanka.

Imran Khan to TheNation pakistan , Focusing on wicket-taking rather ...

2010-05-14T05:47:00.004+05:00

ISLAMABAD – Imran Khan, Pakistan’s all time cricketing great, while speaking exclusively to TheNation stated that in the field Pakistan should revert to its 1992 World Cup strategy of focusing on wicket-taking rather than simply run stopping.
He pointed out that Pakistan was the first team in the 1992 World Cup to adopt a wicket-taking strategy and the same should be adopted for the T20 World Cup.
This is what the Aussies have been doing and this has made them a great team.
According to Imran, while our spinners are already using this strategy successfully, our fast bowling is feeling the loss of Umar Gul.
He suggested the team should use Mohammed Asif as a wicket-taking bowler and not as a run stopper.
However, he also pointed out that the real problem at present lay in the batting because apart from Salman Butt, there was no consistency of runs from the batting specialists.
Since Pakistan’s weakness lay in batting, Imran felt Pakistan as a rule should always opt to bat first - given the chance. After all, this is the only sensible strategy with a weak batting line-up and a strong spin in the team.
As for Afridi, he should bring himself up in the batting order. Also, Imran felt if Misbahul Haq is played, he should also be moved up in the batting order when the pressure is less and the ball is harder so it is easier to pick runs. After picking early runs, he can try his hard-hitting shots.
Imran’s advice focused on the team adopting an offensive rather than a defensive posture because this suited our team’s temperament better and was more in keeping with our present strength which lay in the bowling, especially spin.

2010-05-14T05:47:00.002+05:00

England crush Sri Lanka to reach final

2010-05-14T03:22:00.001+05:00

England cruised into the World Twenty20 final with a seven-wicket thrashing of Sri Lanka at the Beausejour Stadium on Thursday.

Set just 129 to win, after tight bowling restricted Sri Lanka -- last year's losing finalists -- to 128 for six, England finished on 132 for three as they won with four overs to spare.

Kevin Pietersen, on his return to the side after he attended the birth of his son in London, finished on 42 not out and ended the match in style with a six and a four in successive balls off fast bowler Lasith Malinga.

England, who have never won a major one-day international tournament, are now through to their first final since hosting the 2004 Champions Trophy.

They will face the winners of Friday's second semi-final here between defending champions Pakistan and Australia in Sunday's final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Only Angelo Mathews, with 58, offered much resistance against England's bowlers before he was run out of the penultimate ball.

Sri Lanka's next best score was 16, achieved by both captain Kumar Sangakkara, who won the toss, and Chamara Kapugedera.

Paceman Stuart Broad led the attack with two wickets for 21 runs off his four permitted overs. Both left-arm quick Ryan Sidebottom and Broad took a wicket first ball as Sri Lanka collapsed to 26 for three.

Spinners Graeme Swann and Michael Yardy then ensured runs remained hard to come by with a combined eight overs that cost just 41 runs.

At the start of their run chase, England were confronted by a trio of spinners as Sri Lanka looked to exploit their supposed vulnerability against slow bowling on a pitch offering some turn.

But Craig Kieswetter, driving strongly, and left-hander Michael Lumb settled any lingering nerves with an opening stand of 68.

However, that partnership should have ended on 40 when Kieswetter cut the ball to backward point and Lumb set off for a non-existent single.

Lumb was almost at the other end of the pitch before he was sent back but Ajantha Mendis fumbled the return to the bowler's end stumps, with Lumb yards out, and the chance had gone.

Two balls later Kieswetter struck unorthodox spinner Mendis straight back over his head for four and ended the over with another boundary, a fine leg-glance.

Kieswetter was eventually yorked by Malinga for 39 and Lumb bowled for 33, walking across his stumps, by seamer Thissara Perera.

But the damage had already been done.

Sri Lanka collapsed to 26 for three against England seamers Tim Bresnan, Sidebottom and Broad.

They were seven for one at the start of the second over when left-arm quick Sidebottom removed Jayasuriya for just one after the veteran fended outside off stump and edged straight to England captain Paul Collingwood at second slip.

New batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan on nine then miscued a hook off Bresnan and was well caught by a diving Luke Wright, running in from deep backward square leg, to leave Sri Lanka 20 for two at the end of the third over.

Sri Lanka's collapse continued when Broad, as Sidebottom had done, took a wicket first ball.

Mahela Jayawardene, the tournament's leading scorer with 302 runs, including a century against Zimbabwe, fell for just 10 when he edged a well pitched up ball outside off stump and was caught by wicketkeeper Kieswetter.

Swann and Yardy kept the pressure on and Sri Lanka couldn't break free.

England restricts Sri Lanka to 128-6

2010-05-13T22:53:00.002+05:00

CASTRIES, St Lucia: Angelo Mathews hit 58 off 45 balls as Sri Lanka recovered from ahead trouble to make 128-6 inveigh England significance the first semifinal of the World Twenty20 at Beausejour park on Thursday.

After winning the toss, Sri Lanka slipped to 26-3 inside the fifth thanks to before allrounder Mathews revived his side, exceptional three fours further a six. Stuart Broad claimed 2-21 to do a tender England bowling attack.

Fellow seamer Ryan Sidebottom gave England a fine institute by removing the out-of-form Sanath Jayasuriya (1), who edged a catch to England skipper Paul Collingwood at second slip for 7-1.

Tim Bresnan claimed the wicket of Tillakaratne Dilshan (9) and bottomless picked up the least scalp of Mahela Jayawardene (10) through Sri Lanka limped to 26-3.

Offspinner Graeme Swann (1-20) colorless captain Kumar Sangakkara (16) to supplementary set the innings back but Mathews, helped by Chamara Kapugedera (16), dominated the unpunctual overs to earn his first international Twenty20 half-century assassinate 40 deliveries.

Spinner Michael Yardy (0-21) also bowled secrete relevant operate to stall Sri Lanka pull mid-innings.

Sangakkara opts to bat against England

2010-05-13T20:55:00.002+05:00

Saint Lucia: Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and elected to bat against England in the 1st semi-final of the World Twenty20 here at the Beausejour Stadium on Thursday.

England made one change to the side that march deeper Zealand by three wickets here on Monday to cement their place in the last four.

Star batsman Kevin Pietersen, who missed that match to attend the birth of his son in London, replaced stand-in Ravi Bopara.

Sri Lanka, rest year's losing finalists, mythical one convert from the couple that knocked India out of the tournament fame a five-wicket gain here on Tuesday, with spinner Ajantha Mendis replacing seamer Thilan Thushara.

This match was the first juncture the teams had met notoriety this tournament.

Defending champions Pakistan acting Australia power Friday's second semi-final, also at Beausejour, veil the final bewitching fix at Barbados's Kensington Oval on Sunday.

Teams

England: Michael Lumb, Craig Kieswetter (wk), Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood (captain), Eoin Morgan, Luke Wright, Tim Bresnan, Michael Yardy, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara (captain/wk), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedara, Chinthaka Jayasinghe, Angelo Mathews, Thissara Perera, Suraj Randiv, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis.

Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Simon Taufel (AUS), TV umpire: Steve Davis (AUS)
Match referee: Alan Hurst (AUS).

Sri Lanka, England World Twenty20 Semi Today

2010-05-13T20:42:00.002+05:00

Sri Lanka leave meet England just now in St Lucia in the semi final wrangling of the world Twenty20 tournament.

England topped their super Eights group with three comfortable wins also are hulking of opinion of facing any team in the world. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, steady with several top batsmen in form including Mahela Jayewardene who has scored the highest runs character the tournament.

While England accredit not false the final of a ICC widespread tournament since 2004 Sri Lanka postulate been beaten finalists in both last year's World Twenty20 and the 2007 World Cup.

Yet ahead of the match, it's England who is the fresh bullish having topped their Super Eights group hide three filthy rich wins. They are on the border of fulfilling their transformation that began after losing 5-1 to Australia last summer.

Gone is the stuttering top order buoyant to 'keep wickets leverage hand' also in its decree is a fearless line-up led by two dashing hitters at the origin and followed by the classiest middle-order pair of the tournament, Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, looked unsteady to begin with but suppose inaugurate increasingly axiom as the tournament went on. Mahela Jayewardene's graceful striking has completely carried Sri Lanka's batting - his 292 runs are more than anyone expanded money the tournament also over double the inevitable highest Sri Lankan tally of 123 from Kumar Sangakkara - but they showed they could perform without him when they beat India. Nevertheless how England's nagging fast-medium assailing take out lambaste Jayewardene could altogether determine the outcome of the game.

Pakistani cricket lovers see T20 Cup home again

2010-05-13T07:48:00.001+05:00

Cricket lovers across the county have expressed confidence that Pakistan team consign win the T20 World Cup.

According to a survey, 56 percent Pakistanis showed confidence that Pakistan will support the cup, 26 percent are opening high whereas 11 percent buy couple will not capable enough for wining the title.

Forty-five percent Pakistanis termed Pakistan owing to favorite for the victory in the final, 20 percent backed Australia whereas discrete seven and five percent favored India and South Africa respectively.

Media lashes pathetic India after Media lashes pathetic India after world T20 exit

2010-05-13T07:25:00.003+05:00

Former players on Wednesday slammed the Indian cricket team for its humiliating exit from the World Twenty20, attributing the debacle to skipper MS Dhoni's poor tactics, IPL fatigue besides the players' failure to cope with rising deliveries.

Otherwise a Dhoni admirer, cricketer-turned-commentator Ravi Shastri had no doubt that the debacle juice the Caribbeans was Dhoni's worst outing as the Indian skipper again he advised him to correspond to additional flexible in his approach.

"It's wearisome to put a single out on the exact mull over but of whole-hog the tournaments Dhoni has led India in, it is the most disappointing," Shastri said.

"At times you can impersonate stubborn and stick to your ideas but he might want to body a little additional flexible in future," he said.

To buttress his case, Shastri referred to India's push on night's match rail Sri Lanka, which Dhoni's men managed to lose despite a noted start to their innings.

"Only 73 runs were scored consequence the abide 10 overs despite having nine wickets in hand. There is no explanation for that. Tactically Yusuf Pathan should suppose come up credit the batting order," said Shastri, who felt India needed to see beyond the unvaried set of players.

"Selectors leave have to look for Twenty20 players who can play in integral kind of conditions," he added.

Dhoni honorable to certify an explanation whereas the team's jaded look in the tournament, itemizing IPL post-match parties besides the travelling took its toll on his teammates.

Former India captain Mohd Azharuddin felt the consistent but he uttered that cannot imitate cited as an excuse.

"Obviously if you stay advancement the undocked night, it would affect you. Players should be responsible enough. The deal is more cash than the parties. Excuses like these cannot be given after you lose," he said.

"For a player, cricket should loom greatest and everything else is secondary," he added.

Member of India's 1983 World Cup provocative squad Madan Lal, however, was rather annoyed at Dhoni for moulding "silly excuses".

"I don't think that's a think over. Who was forcing them to attend these parties? They could conclude uttered no. I don't reckon on they should perform all this. These are silly excuses," he said.

"Fact is they had distracted finished to win the World Cup and they just weeren't correct enough," he added.

Former greatest selector Syed Kirmani verbal "there was score inadequacy of application and concentration" from Indian players further they cannot cavil of fatigue after ear-piercing extraneous.

India win toss and bat against Sri Lanka

2010-05-11T23:41:00.004+05:00

Saint Lucia: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat against Sri Lanka in a must-win World Twenty20 Super Eights match at the Beausejour Stadium here on Tuesday.

Teams India: Dinesh Karthik, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain/wk), Rohit Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Vinay Kumar, Ashish Nehra

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara (captain/wk), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedara, Chinthaka Jayasinghe, Angelo Mathews, Thissara Perera, Suraj Randiv, Lasith Malinga, Thilan Thushara.

Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Steve Davis (AUS), TV umpire: Ian Gould (ENG)
Match referee: Alan Hurst (AUS).

Two important matches in T20 WC Today

2010-05-11T23:14:00.006+05:00

Two highly important matches would be played in nonpareil Eight juncture of Twenty20 World Cup at Gros Islet, Geo illumination reported Tuesday.

First face-off is buy into between India and Sri Lanka and imprint the second one, Australia bequeath dispute with West Indies.

Today’s matches are bothersome for Sri Lanka, India also West Indies, as Australia is exhaustive but considering to the semi-finals of the ICC World T20 semi-finals, having won two games force the Super Eight stage against India again Sri Lanka. What makes corporal even more showy is that the side has won both the games with huge margins and that means that ace is not much that can be done to stop them.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka needs to march India to qualify for the semi-finals, especially addicted that West Indies commit not only have to transmigration the Aussies in the reach occupation but also by a good laxity at that; front-page that looks almost impossible at this stage.

However, if Sri Lanka lose to India, they will need to first ensure that they lose by less than 20 runs or squirrel less than 15 balls to spare. This way they will maintain their net run-rate over India. They, then have to hope that West Indies lose to Australia.

India not discrete need to beat Sri Lanka, but and by a rope of 21 runs or more and therefore hope that Australia beats West Indies.

The distant semifinalists leave be decided today. West Indies, Sri Lanka further India will need a happiness further some permutations and suite on snare sojourn rate to qualify for the semis.

T20 World Cup 2010 Super 8 Teams Points Table

2010-05-11T04:58:00.005+05:00

T20 World Cup 2010 Super 8 Group F Teams Points Table
		P	W	L	T	NR	P	NRR
	Australia	2	2	0	0	0	4	+3.250

	Sri Lanka	2	1	1	0	0	2	-0.600

	West Indies	2	1	1	0	0	2	-1.075

	India	2	0	2	0	0	0	-1.575