Monday, 24 September 2012

Bangladesh faces must-win against settled Pakistan

Bangladesh faces must-win against settled Pakistan
Bangladesh must not only win, but win by enough to qualify on Net Run-Rates - not an easy task against a well-oiled Pakistan team

24 September 2012 - 03:57pm IST by Anand Vasu in Pallekele
It was Pakistan’s legendary all-rounder and captain, Imran Khan, who was credited with delivering a supposedly inspiring speech, urging his players to “fight like cornered tigers” at the ICC World Cup 1992. Ahead of a must-win match against Australia, Imran is believed to have told his players, “You've got nowhere to go, go out and fight.” In the ICC World Twenty20 2012, Pakistan finds that the boot in on the other foot ahead of the last match of the league phase.

Mushfiqur Rahim might well tell his team that there’s nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, but it’s not clear if Bangladesh’s captain is the kind of person who likes to deliver motivational speeches. And, given the kind of strokes some of Bangladesh’s top order play, despite repeated entreaties to start slowly and build big, it doesn’t seem like many of them listen to speeches.

The equation for Bangladesh is clear, or at least one half of it is. If Bangladesh bats first, it needs to win by 36 runs or more to narrow the gap in the Net Run Rate and knock Pakistan out of the ICC World Twenty20 2012. If Pakistan bats first, then Bangladesh will have to reach the target in something under 20 overs – to be determined by what total Pakistan manages.

This situation has arisen, of course, because New Zealand beat Bangladesh by the healthy margin of 59 runs, while it managed to keep the margin of defeat against Pakistan down to 13 runs.

For Bangladesh, the challenge in the match against New Zealand was pacing itself. Batsmen repeatedly took the aerial route early on and perished, after Brendon McCullum had bludgeoned 123 to take New Zealand to 191. Tamim Iqbal found the cover fielder, Shakib-al-Hasan chipped to cover-point, Mushfiqur Rahim holed out to deep mid-wicket, Mahmadullah found long-on … the list is long. Bangladesh managed just 132.

Mushfiqur admitted that his batsmen had attacked a bit recklessly, but justified this, saying this was what the format demanded. “When it comes off, it looks very spectacular and you feel that they did the right thing,” said Mushfiqur. “On days when it does not come off, of course, you look back and wonder if things could have been done differently.”

If Bangladesh’s batsmen were contemplating curbing their natural instincts, they might actually be given the license to do the opposite, in case Pakistan bats first and puts a decent score on the board. The team, which calls itself the Bangla Tigers, something that is reflected in the logo of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, would do well to recall Imran’s call to arms.

Bangladesh was set to make at least one change to the team that played the first match. With that being a 3.30pm start, Mushfiqur expected a bit more assistance for the slower bowlers, and played three left-arm spinners. “We probably made a mistake in reading the conditions,” he said of the decision to include Abdur Razzaq, Shakib-Al-Hasan and Elias Sunny. “We thought there would be a lot more turn. We have enough options in the squad, with seam bowling all-rounders and fast-medium bowlers on the bench. Given that this game is under lights, and that we know the pitch a bit better, we will look at bringing in an extra fast-medium option.”

Pakistan, for its part, will not worry unduly about the permutations and combinations that Mushfiqur is pondering. A simple win will do the trick for Mohammad Hafeez, and often, when the game is approached that way, it yields the best results.
17:50

Thursday, 20 September 2012

Ind vs Afghanistan


18:02

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik celebrate after their victory during a World Twenty20 warm-up match.


Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik celebrate after their victory during a World Twenty20 warm-up match.

18:01

Monday, 17 September 2012

Kamran Akmal clicked with the bat for Pakistan in the warm-up game against India

Kamran Akmal clicked with the bat for Pakistan in the warm-up game against India, Pakistan beat India by 5 wickets

17:12

Pakistan has won the warmup match against india

Pakistan has won the warmup match against india by 5 wickets in T20 worldcup 2012

17:11

akistan wins the World T20 warm up match against India

akistan wins the World T20 warm up match against India

17:09

Pak beat india by 5 wickets in warm up matches

Two great Players, Kamran 92* (50)
Malik 37* (18) beat India!!!


17:08

Sunday, 16 September 2012

England’s Sarah Taylor has been named ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year

England’s Sarah Taylor has been named ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year at the LG ICC Awards in Colombo.

22:24

Misbah to debut as commentator

Misbah to debut as commentator
Pakistan's Test and one-day captain, Misbah-ul-Haq will feature in the T20 WC 2012 panel of experts lined up by the broadcasters of the event. Misbah confirmed that he had been given permission by the PCB to work during the tournament for the broadcaster and would be leaving for Sri Lanka on Sunday.
"It is going to be a new experience for me to work on television. I got a good offer and also wanted to be part of the tournament so I accepted it," Misbah said.

22:22

MS Dhoni and Mohammad Hafeez in Colombo

MS Dhoni and Mohammad Hafeez in Colombo before a group photograph

17:43

Saturday, 15 September 2012

captains Mohammad Hafeez and MS Dhoni

After posing with the World T20 trophy, captains Mohammad Hafeez and MS Dhoni chat as they leave the venue in Colombo.

18:56

ICC team

Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal have been named in ICC One-day International team of the year. India's MS Dhoni has been named as captain of the ICC team.

18:41

Irfan Pathan took 5 for 25, India beat Sri Lanka by 26 runs in warm- up game

Irfan Pathan took 5 for 25, India beat Sri Lanka by 26 runs in warm- up game

18:38

Brad Hogg signs bats, World Twenty20 2012, Colombo.

Brad Hogg signs bats, World Twenty20 2012, Colombo.

18:33

Mohammad Hafeez has a bat at a practice session in Colombo, in the lead-up to the World Twenty20

Mohammad Hafeez has a bat at a practice session in Colombo, in the lead-up to the World Twenty20

18:33

Muhammad Hafeez addresses the press, Colombo.

Muhammad Hafeez addresses the press, Colombo.

18:30

Irfan Pathan takes a break from training, World Twenty20 2012.

Irfan Pathan takes a break from training, World Twenty20 2012.

18:30

Chris Gayle participates in a fielding drill, World Twenty20 2012.

Chris Gayle participates in a fielding drill, World Twenty20 2012.

18:22

Lanka beat Windies in warm-up match

Lanka beat Windies in warm-up match

18:20

Mahela Jayawardene scored a half-century

Mahela Jayawardene scored a half-century, Sri Lanka v West Indies, World Twenty20 2012 warm-up, Colombo,

18:19

New Zealand's captain and coach, at a press conference, Colombo, World Twenty20 .

Ross Taylor and Mike Hesson, New Zealand's captain and coach, at a press conference, Colombo, World Twenty20 .

18:18

Irfan pathan


18:16

Pakistan hone their skills at a training session.......

Pakistan hone their skills at a training session.......

18:15

Friday, 14 September 2012

India-Pakistan encounter

The India-Pakistan encounter, part of the warm-up schedule drawn up by the International Cricket Council, is the only one of 12 practice games that will be telecast live.

18:04

Karim Sadiq and Nawroz Mangal sign bats with the Afghanistan team,

Karim Sadiq and Nawroz Mangal sign bats with the Afghanistan team

17:57

Thursday, 13 September 2012

ICC World T20 2012: 20 players to watch out for (Part I)

Starting today, we will run at four-part series that will focus on 20 players we believe you should watch out for during the World T20 event, which kicks off in Sri Lanka from September 18. Presenting Part I:

Virat Kohli (India)




Irrespective of the format, if it is about India, it’s got to be Kohli. The India number three has been in unstoppable form over the last year. Even in India’s last T20 encounter prior to the World T20, Kohli smashed a whirlwind 70. It was a pity India couldn’t win in spite of his heroics, but the team would be pleased that Kohli’s good run just doesn’t seem to end. The Indians would only be hoping that he continues with the same rich run of scores.


David Warner (Australia)


The left-hander opener may have had a mixed run in international cricket lately, but the Aussies would be hoping for the explosive opener to fire, as it will increase their chances of doing well significantly. If he delivers to potential, Warner can destroy the best attacks in the world. He has the experience of playing international cricket for a few seasons now, and hence will be expected to deliver on the big stage. Warner’s experience in the IPL, where he has been a success, should also work in his favour. In 36 T20s till date, Warner has scored at a highly impressive strike rate of 140. If he gets going, opponents would be in for a leather hunt.


Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)



It goes without saying that Bangladesh’s fortunes in the World T20 will depend to a large extent on how Shakib performs, with both bat and ball. One of modern cricket’s best all-rounders, Shakib has proven his ability against the best in all formats. As such, Bangladesh would be looking forward to their ex-captain to play the lead role even though he is not the skipper. As a middle-order bat, Shakib can rotate the strike as well as clear the field. And, as a left-arm spinner, he is accurately, and at the same time, a wicket-taking bowler. In fact, he has got a magnificent T20 record, with 27 wickets at a strike rate of 18.


Alex Hales (England)



Hales’s performance would be significant for one prime reason – he is Kevin Pietersen’s replacement as opener in the side. It is near impossible to substitute an impact player like KP, the man of the tournament during England’s victorious 2010 World T20 campaign. Having said that, Hales has been chosen to do the job, which means the English management has faith in him. He hasn’t done a lot wrong for the team so far, with two fifties, including a 99 in seven games. The World T20 will be a sterner test nonetheless.


Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan)



Not many would have heard a lot about him, but Nabi is a highly rated cricketer in Afghanistan. An all-rounder, he has played first-class cricket for the MCC, and has been a key figure in Afghanistan’s rising stakes in recent times. He has to his credit a half-century on one-day international debut. Also, in his first ever first-class fixture in Afghanistan colours, a match against Zimbabwe XI, he registered a century. Such performances have made him a reputed batsman in the side. As an off-spinner as well, Nabi has made his mark. He scalped 13 wickets for Afghanistan in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifiers that were held in 2010 at an unbelievable average of just over 10.
23:35

Ireland upset Zimbabwe in Warm Ups

Ireland upset Zimbabwe in Warm Ups
Ireland defeated Zimbabwe by a comprehensive margin of 54 runs in the Warm Up match of the ICC World T20 2012 at Moors Sports Club Ground in Colombo.

Asked to bat first after losing the toss, Ireland piled up an impressive 181 for 5 in the allotted 20 overs. Wicket Keeper batsman Niall O’Brien top scored with 62 from 49 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes. His brother Kevin O’Brien came up with an unbeaten cameo of 30 from 14 balls 2 fours and 2 sixes. For the Zimbabweans, medium pacer Chris Mpofu took 3 for 39 in 4 overs.

Zimbabwe in the run chase were going along nicely at 74 for 2 in the 9th over before a middle order collapse wrecked them apart. The Zims were reduced out of nowhere to 83 for 8 by the 14th over. In the end, they finished at 127 for 8 to come as a distant second. Opener Hamilton Masakadza was the top scorer with 44 from 27 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes.

Left-arm spinner George Dockrell and medium pacer Alex Cusack took three wickets each. Fast bowler Boyd Rankin came up with a tidy spell of 4-1-16-1.
23:27

Sri Lanka cruise to nine-wicket win

Sri Lanka v West Indies, World Twenty20 warm-up, Colombo
Sri Lanka cruise to nine-wicket win
A collective bowling performance from Sri Lanka and half-centuries by Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene made short work of West Indies on the first day of warm-up matches for the World Twenty20. Nuwan Kulasekara struck the early blows and West Indies could manage only 132, a target Sri Lanka achieved with 4.2 overs to spare.


The West Indies batsmen attacked in spurts, but could not maintain their assaults as Sri Lanka prised regular wickets through disciplined bowling. The low NCC wicket did not help timing, nor did it allow the West Indies' hitters to achieve the elevation they might have preferred. With Chris Gayle being rested, no sixes were hit during their innings. Even Kieron Pollard, who was at the crease for almost ten overs, could only manage two boundaries, digging out yorkers and patting away the spinners into the outfield.

Johnson Charles' 30 from 26 stabilised West Indies after Kulasekara had removed both openers. Charles scored most of his runs square of the wicket, rising tall on the back foot to punch crisply through the offside for two of his three boundaries, before Sri Lanka placed a sweeper for the shot and adjusted their lengths. Darren Bravo barely played a fluent stroke throughout his stay, his 29 - the second highest score for the West Indies - came off 31 balls.


Akila Dananjaya could not take a wicket from three overs on a pitch that appeared to have little in it for spinners, but both he and the Sri Lanka management will find an economy rate of less than six heartening. Lasith Malinga's yorkers were humming nicely toward the end of the innings, and the lack of bounce meant that he was difficult to punish even if the ball pitched slightly short. Kulasekara and Thisara Perera, who are both returning from injury, were the most expensive bowlers for Sri Lanka.


Dilshan Munaweera's baptism against top level opposition threatened to be a swift one when Fidel Edwards rapped him on the shoe first ball, but having survived the raucous appeal and despite initially struggling to handle Edwards' pace, Munaweera quickly began to find the square boundary off the other bowlers. He was dismissed attempting to pull Ravi Rampaul from outside off, when perhaps a cut or a dab to third man would have been more appropriate.


Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan progressed smoothly thereafter, punishing only the poor deliveries to begin with, before introducing scoops, reverse sweeps, and in Jayawardene's case, a reverse pull, into their innings. Sunil Narine was dealt with minimum fuss, while Edwards also lost his sting as the ball grew softer. The West Indies fast men showed hints of rust, with too many deliveries being picked off the pads, and several more being pitched short and wide.


Dilshan and Jayawardene both accelerated to their half-centuries and completed the chase in the 16th over.
23:25

T20 WOLRD CUP 2012 Pakistan New KiT :)

T20 WOLRD CUP 2012
Pakistan New KiT :)

21:38

Twenty 20 world cup 2012 promo

21:11

Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal at a press conference

Afghanistan captain Nawroz Mangal at a press conference

21:09

Shahid Afridi at a media session, World Twenty20 2012, Colombo,

Shahid Afridi at a media session, World Twenty20 2012, Colombo, September 13, 2012 

21:08

Wednesday, 12 September 2012

New Zealand vs india T-20

New Zealand cricketers and team members celebrate with the trophy after winning the Twenty20 international cricket match against India. Allrounder Yuvraj Singh made an impressive return from cancer but India lost to New Zealand by one run in the second and final Twenty20 to lose the series 1-0

19:13

Australia beat Pakistan by 94 runs, 74/10 lowest ever total by Pakistan in T20 International.

Australia beat Pakistan by 94 runs, 74/10 lowest ever total by Pakistan in T20 International.

00:59

Openers David Warner (59) and Shane Watson (47)

Openers David Warner (59) and Shane Watson (47) shone with the bat as Australia scored 168/7 against Pakistan in the third and final Twenty20 international at Dubai Cricket Stadium on Monday.


00:57

Saeed Ajmal vs aus 3rd T-20

Saeed Ajmal picked up two wickets in his economical spell

00:55

Andy Murray

Andy Murray ended Britain's 76-year wait for a male Grand Slam singles champion with an epic victory over Novak Djokovic in the US Open final.

00:53

Pakistan win T-20 series vs aus

The Pakistan team with the trophy for the Twenty20 series
 
00:44

Mohammad Hafeez with the trophy for the Twenty20 series

Mohammad Hafeez with the trophy for the Twenty20 series

00:43

Umer akmal


00:41

Tuesday, 11 September 2012

Saeed ajmal vs aus 3rd T-20


19:07

Monday, 10 September 2012

Pak vs Aus 3rd T-20 match

The third and final T-20 cricket match between Pakistan and Australia will be played at Dubai on today.
Not sure if the Friday prayers inspired or the vibe of a full house Pakistani crowd conspired with the universe but Friday continued to be a blessed day for Pakistan cricket in the UAE. The second T20 was more than just a tied match – Pakistan won through a super over to go up two nil in a three match series


20:42

Umar Akmal and Kamran Akmal during training ahead of the 3rd T20

Umar Akmal and Kamran Akmal during training ahead of the 3rd T20 

20:35

Shahid Afridi at a training session in Dubai

Shahid Afridi at a training session in Dubai


20:33

Saeem ajmal number1 spinner of the world

“You’re number one,” PCB tells Ajmal

Saeed Ajmal will receive a special award from the Pakistan Cricket Board after the spin bowler was left off the shortlist for the International Cricket Council’s Player of the Year, chairman Zaka Ashraf said on Monday. The omission of the top- ranked one-day international bowler from the shortlist has caused anger in Pakistan and the team could boycott the ICC awards ceremony, due to take place in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo on Sept. 15.
“Saeed Ajmal, we still say you’re the number one bowler in the world and the PCB recognises you, and whether someone gives you the prize, that is immaterial, we don’t care,” Ashraf told a function for the Pakistan squad, in Dubai to face Australia.
“We congratulate you and when you come back home (after the World Twenty20) we will give you a prize for being the number one bowler in the world.”

20:26

Sunday, 9 September 2012

Kamran akmal


15:28

Pakistan beat australia

Green team has done it again, Pakistan beat Australia in a super over, sensational victory keep it up

15:27

Pakistan's Kamran Akmal (R) and Abdul Razzaq (L) celebrate their victory

Pakistan's Kamran Akmal (R) and Abdul Razzaq (L) celebrate their victory

15:18