Daily Sports News

Pakistan managed to avenge their loss to Ireland in the 2007 World Cup, which knocked them out. Now they have ended Ireland’s dream run in the T20 World Cup and have joined S.A in the semis.

Wicket-keeper Kamaran Akmal, scored a sparkling half-century. He scored 57 off 51, as is partners frequently changed at the other end to propel Pakistan to 159 for five in their stipulated 20 overs after skipper Younis Khan elected to bat. Afridi scored a blistering 24 off 13 balls which included 3 fours. Captain Younis Khan failed to score as hr just managed 10 off 8 balls! But still they managed to put up a challenging total for Ireland.

Ireland, in reply, never really got going. Ireland lost opener Niall O’Brien early in their chase when the wicket-keeper was caught and bowled off a miscued hook by 17-year-old paceman Mohammad Amir.Paul Stirling, himself only 18, came in for his first match of the tournament with Ireland 13 for one but got off the mark first ball with a superb cover-driven four off left-armer Aamir.But the teenager, on 16, became the latest batsman to be bowled playing across the line against leg-spinner Shahid Afridi, who struck with his sixth ball and Ireland were 42 for two off seven overs. Despite a brave 36-ball 40 from their captain Williams Portersfield as the fiery pace of Pakistan bowlers Saeed Ajmal (4-19) and Umer Gul (2-19) proved too hot to handle.

With six overs left Ireland needed 72 more runs to win, John Mooney, trying to keep Ireland up with the rate, also fell to Ajmal after he was caught in the deep by Abdul Razzaq. Then Umar Gul, who took a Twenty20 international record five wickets against New Zealand, got in on the act by bowling Trent Johnston for a duck. At 99 for five in the 17th over the game was up for Ireland, who later saw four tailend wickets tumble for three runs in six balls.

Although pleased Pakistan were in the last four, Younus said their batting required improvement.

“We were still 20 runs short. It’s not possible all the time to score 150 and restrict the opposition,” he added.

“Especially against teams like South Africa, England and the West Indies, we need 170 plus.”

So, with this, Pakistan have kept their title hopes alive…. But they didn’t put up a great show against the Irish. So will Pakistan be able to hold on till the very end?

The experienced duo of Ramnaresh Sarwan & Shivnarine Chanderpaul put up a fine show at the end of the day to help Windies reach the final four. The game brought memories of 2004 Champions Trophy win over England which helped the team take their first major tournament home since the 79 World Cup also in England, seems UK is their favourite hunting ground. But after their horrific show in England this summer who gave them a chance as they were blown away two nil in both the test & one day series & failed to win a single game on this tour. The partnership of 37 from 20 balls helped them reach a target of 80 easily in the end even though the loss of five early wickets left them in more than a spot of bother. It might well be another pointer of things to come as Windies might just relive their glorious past in England where they’ve won 2 World Cups in a row, including the inaugural One Day World Cup in 1975, before their juggernaut came to a halt against the mighty Indians, who had won a single match in the previous two editions of the tournament, ending their reign at the top.

The result came as no surprise as the Windies’ captain was vindicated in his views of upholding T-20’s as his preferred format of the game. The match though was even shorter as the game was curtailed in the end with heavy showers which persisted throughout the match. England scored 161 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs after winning the toss & electing to bat. They never had any momentum to their innings as wickets fell regularly in their laborious effort at the end of which Ravi Bopara was the top scorer with 55 off 47 balls. England were hit hard as Luke Wright failed yet again at the top of the innings falling to Pollard in the second over scoring 6 runs. Pieterson was in form though as he scored 31 off 23 before Simmons got him out. There onwards wickets fell regularly as the batsmen to follow failed to convert their starts into big score especially since the next five batsman went to double figures without getting past 20 runs. In the end this might have been the thing which helped Windies as they chased a revised total of 80 from 9 overs successfully, M/S Duckworth Lewis favouring them this time.

Everything was beautiful at the Oval; fine weather, a perfect pitch, ground filled to the brim with cheerful spectators; it seemed as if the stage was set for a wonderful T20 match. And that’s what we got; as South Africa took on the Windies. Once gain, the Proteas batsmen struck, as Jacques Kallis (45) and Graeme Smith (31) as they got the team to a wonderful start before Gibbs (55), helped them to 183-7. But the explosive start fizzled out in the end for the Proteas, as the middle order and tail-enders failed to capitalize, otherwise would have gotten them to a 200+ total, which would have put the Windies out of the game.

The Windies were in action, hardly 17 hours after their victory over India and hence the tiredness factor would have come into play. Gayle on winning the toss had no hesitation to send the Proteas to bat and it almost worked out as Jerome Taylor gave off only 2 runs from the opening over. But they got the scoreboard ticking as they raced to 50 in less than 6 overs. But after getting Smith off Benn’s delivery was caught off Fletcher at backward point. windies deserve credit for the way they plugged away and, after Taylor had splattered Albie Morkel’s stumps with a beautiful yorker, JP Duminy top-edged Fidel Edwards to Ramnaresh Sarwan at deep fine leg to fall for a golden duck. Moreover, they bowled brilliantly in the dead to reduce the Proteas to 183-7.

But as mentioned in my earlier articles, the S.A pace attack has been astonishing and they proved no less in this match too as they took the prize scalp of Gayle. But Parnell, a new find for the Proteas, continued to show his impressive form as he took Fletcher’s scalp too. But Bravo and Simmons steadied the innings, before Bravo and his replacement fell in quick contention. But Simmons kept up his cool but the required run rate crept upto 12/over as he reached his 50.

“To make 180 was a great effort batting first. We lost our way slightly but it was a good total to post as the West Indies have an experienced batting line-up and they like to chase,” said Smith.

“Lendl Simmons had a great knock but we fought hard and pulled them back. It’s great to have won six in a row in total. But there are still big matches to play.

“We will regroup and have a good run to the final hopefully.”

Yes, and now we all hope that Gayle keeps his word……

India were taught a lesson in T20, as they were beaten comprehensively by the Windies, as they won with 7 wickets in hand. The current T20 ICC champions struggled as they faced impeccable fielding and classy bowling from the Windies not to mention some sensible batting. The West Indies were always a good team, with the likes of Gayle, Sarwan, Chandrapaul, Bravo and Edwards…. But they could never perform cohesively on the big stage and India were the poor team to face them when they did!!! India were never tested during this ICC tournament and they failed in their first test. The current champions have a lot of work to do if they are to retain their title.

The tone, was set by Taylor in the first over, troubling Gautam Gambhir with the bouncers. Edwards took the cue, and removed his Deccan Chargers team-mate, Rohit Sharma, with a bouncer. He troubled Suresh Raina too with the short-pitched stuff until the latter played back to a full delivery and edged it to Denesh Ramdin. The Indians couldn’t get their pulls right and they perished due to their poor execution.

As they say, “Cathes win Matches”, and the Windies proved the quote. Simmons took a blinder to send Gambhir back to the pavilion. And then it was the Indians turn to consolidate. Dhoni and Yuvraj started slowly. But under pressure to get going, Dhoni cut Bravo straight to sweeper-cover. Two balls later, Yuvraj picked the same fielder out, but was dropped by Andre Fletcher. India would have been 71 for 5, but for the drop. Whereupon, Yuvraj played a little gem to pull India out of all sorts of trouble, but it would stay the second-best effort of the night.  His shot playing managed to get the Indians to a defendable total and a late cameo from Harbhajan helped them, as he scored boundries off the last three balls.

Then as the Windies turn to bat came, they put up a good show despite losing Fletcher and Gayle early. Bravo, being promoted up the order once again showed, why he is claimed one of the best in T20, with a 66 from 36, 48 of the runs coming off the Indian spinners. By the time Simmons was dismissed, it was Chandrapaul’s turn as they wrapped up the innings comfortably, without any problem. It was Bravo’s bravardo which put the Windies through as he pulled off the match winning knock and took 4 wickets to get the Man of the Match award. Everything is going right for the Windies and with this momentum they can win this trophy hands down. However, there is a lot of introspection to be done for the Indians if they are to retain their crown.

India thrashed Ireland by 8 wickets to complete the group stages on a winning note. Ireland, despite improving their game in the past years, fell well short of matching up the Indians as they were 112-8 in a match reduced to 18 overs thanks to rain.

As usual, Dhoni won the toss and elected to field as he believed that due to the rain, the Duckworth-Lewis theory may come into play. And from then on, it was India all the way. J.P. Bray, Irish opener, has been having a terrible series and this match proved to be no better as he was bowled out by Zaheer for a duck after facing 7 balls. When Zaheer began his second over, Porterfield, was dismissed after a wonderful catch by Yusuf Pathan in the slips. Zaks was declared man of the match for his four wicket haul.

Then, if the Indian seamers proved to be bad for the Irish, it got worse as the spinners stepped up. Ojha, who is having a wonderful series, once again showed why his captain trusts him by taking KJ. O’Brien off an inside edge, on the first ball of his spell. It is amazing to see an orthodox spinner like Ojha, who lacks the carom ball, seldom bowls the doosra and other special deliveries, take wickets thanks to his flight and simple pace variation. But the Irish did strike back at the spinners, this time with sweeps as a few balls ran to the boundary. Moreover the Irish exploited the short boundary at Trent Bridge at Nottingham. And then R.West got himself run out thanks to his diabolical running because when he was run out, his leg and bat, despite being well inside the crease, were well, above it (didn’t touch the ground), and hence he was declared run out.

But as it has been happening in the previous matches, the Indians seem to relax a bit at the death, thereby helping the Irish to cross the 100 run mark, at a time when tight bowling could have restricted the Irish to a score well below 100. So this a major concern for the coach Gary Kristen as the Indians are yet to face serious opponents who would challenge their bowlers more than the Irish. But when it was India’s turn to bat, it was all smooth sailing for the openers Rohit Sharma and Gambhir who are in the top of their form. They played a sensible innings spiced with boundries. They steered India to the finish line, though Gambhir fell for 37 to West, the tone was set for a victory. As the captain too fell for 14, Rohit Sharma stayed till the end with a well earned half century.

So all is set for India to scorch the super eight. However the Indians have to improve their bowling in the death if they are to retain the coveted ICC T20 crown …

It is a feeling of deja vu with memories of 92 World Cup coming back to haunt to Australia as they are out of a major ICC event, in the very first round mind you, for the first time in 15 years barring their loss to INDIA in the inaugural Champions Trophy which was a knockout tournament by the way. But now coming back to yesterday’s match which went to the last over, a farcry from their thrashing at the hands of the Windies just last weekend, thanks mainly to Australia’s wagging tail & incredible slogging by Mitchell Johnson & later by Brett Lee giving them a respectable total of 159 for 9.

The day started off brilliantly for Sri Lanka as Angelo Mathews struck in his very first over getting rid of the dangerous David Warner. Australia’s top scorer of last match not was able to replicate his earlier success in the tournament & instead getting out on a duck with Tillakaratne Dilshan taking a simple catch at point. An over which was a precursor of things to come & the radical changes that Sri Lanka put in against Australia which the latter was simply not prepared for. Kumara Sangakkara in his very first match as captain was to excel with his batting being the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s innings during their successful pursuit of 160 at the end of the day. Sri Lanka knowing the importance of slow bowlers, having witnessed their stranglehold over batsman in the earlier matches, left the likes of Nuwan Kulasekara & Farveez Maharoof in the process as was evident with Sanath Jayasuriya coming on to bowl the second over of the match.

Lasith Malinga, their premier fast bowler, came on to bowl only as a second change after which Ajantha Mendis was introduced in the powerplay. After getting a single run of the very first over Ponting & Watson took the attack to the opposition smashing debutant Udana & Malinga for 15 runs in each of the fourth & the fifth over respectively. Enter Mendis, who got rid of Ponting as he tried to smash him losing his leg stump in the process. This started a period of 10 overs in which Australia lost 5 top order wickets adding just 47 runs. Mendis picked up Watson in his next over as he tried to sweep him but fell leg before wicket on 22. Mendis took care of the top order with Mike Hussey was trapped lbw before Johnson took over his possible role as an allrounder remaining unbeaten in the end.

Some might say that Sangakkara was the man of the match but Mendis was the X-factor in the match which went Sri Lanka’s way.

In a desperate attempt to win, Pakistan won their second group match by a convincing margin of 82 runs to book a spot in the super eights. Pakistan produced their best show on the field on this trip so far in the ICC T-20 championships including the warm-ups. Pakistan scored 50 runs for the loss of a solitary wicket in the power play to lay the groundwork for a total which in the end was too big to chase for an associate team like Netherlands.

Pakistan have chopped & changed their opening pair a number of times in the past, today was no different with Kamran Akmal coming on to bat with Salman Butt. They started off aggressively with Akmal scoring two boundaries in the second over of the innings bowled by Schiferli. Dirk Nannes, the standout performer for the dutch team on the day, started off economically conceding just 5 of his first two overs. Butt who looked threatening was finally caught at cover off a loose cut shot in the fifth over. That did manage to put a brake on the scoring as the next two overs went for 4 runs apiece before Akmal took to Borren in the eighth over fetching 13 runs. Malik was dropped off the first ball of the very next over of Ten Doeschate, a chance which proved costly as he ended up scoring a crucial 30. From there onwards Pakistan looked to dominate scoring 108 in the next 12 overs with 5 sixes as against 1 versus England which came in the seventeenth over from Misbah.

Netherlands though must be disappointed that after defeating England they weren’t able to go to the next round as they put up a poor show, failing to score 151 required to qualify for the super eights, they were bundled for a paltry 93. Shahid Afridi spun his web taking 4 wickets, it seems his hard hitting days are over considering his poor show with the bat over the last many years but his legbreak or rather toe breaking pacy balls are often hard enough for accomplished players let alone lesser teams to play. The dutch were never really in the game especially at the end of 6 overs of power play after which they required nearly 10 an over to win & 114 to qualify for super eights. The introduction of spin on either ends with Ajmal & Afridi proved to be their undoing as the two produced spells of 3 for 20 & 4 for 11 respectively taking Pakistan home & through to round 2.

Score Card

Result – Pakistan beat Netherlands by 82 runs

Fall of wickets: 1. Darron Reekers 13 (1.3), 2. Bas Zuiderent 42 (7.1), 3. Peter Borren 47 (8.4), 4. Alexei Kervezee 49 (9), 5. Tom de Grooth 61 (11.1), 6. Daan van Bunge 61 (11.3), 7. Ryan ten Doeschate 71 (12.5), 8. Edgar Schiferli 74 (13.3), 9. Dirk Nannes 90 (16.4), 10. Pieter Seelaar 93 (17.3)

Man of the match: Kamran Akmal

Last world cup they were not favorites at all but they manage to turn the odds in their favor, India now have a humongous task in England. They start the round one with low ranking teams and are sure to qualify to the next level. MSD and his men will face the first major challenge when they reach the supper eight. Dhoni’s men have an excellent track record on paper, but the question remains- Can they do it again?

They were defeated in the first warm-up game but won the second game easily, to MSD’s respite came in Rohit Sharma who filled in for the injured Sehwag. There has been some positives on the bowling front too with some good performances by the likes of Ishant Sharma. To all Indian fans we have just one thing to say,

“Hope that MSD’s magical captaincy run continues”.

MS Dhoni: Age – 27 Captain Cool – Current ICC ODI Batsman Ranking – 1. One of the most deadly batsman in the world and not to forget his wicket keeping skills. He has changed the way India plays ODI and is also known for his out of the box thinking.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best		ER
13	215	45	23.88	0	103.86	-	-	-		-

Virender Sehwag: Age – 30 – Current ICC ODI Batsman Ranking – 7.Is rated amongst the most devastating opening batsman in the world, can hit an excellent delivery to the boundary with ease. The only danger he faces, is from himself as at times he goes after the wrong deliveries. He is also an excellent part-time bowling option.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best		ER
12	223	68	20.27	1	144.80	0	-	-		20.0

Gautam Gambhir: Age – 27 – Current ICC ODI Batsman Ranking – 16. A complete T20 player, he can change his role according to the requirement and is excellent on the field. He opens the innings for the country in all forms of the game. His consistency will be key to India’s success in the tournament.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best		ER
12	328	75	29.81	4	126.64	0	-	-		-

Yuvraj Singh: Age – 27 – Current ICC ODI Batsman Ranking – 4. A complete T20 player and is best remembered for his 6 sixes in one over in the last world cup against England. Once Yuvi starts hitting, there is nothing that can stop him, certainly one of the most dangerous batsman in the Indian side.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best		ER
10	262	70	32.75	3	164.77	2	36.00	1-17		12.00

Suresh Raina: Age – 22 – Current ICC ODI Batsman Ranking – 31. An excellent middle order batsman and also considered as one of the best fielders in the Indian squad. His also an excellent part-time bowling option. He is coming to the world cup after an impressive performance in the recently concluded IPL.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best		ER
5	5	61	36.33	1	126.75	-	-	-		-

Rohit Sharma: Age – 22 Current ICC ODI Batsman Ranking – N/A. An excellent middle order batsman and in the last two T20 warm-up games has proved that he can open the Indian innings too. He was one of the key contributors towards the Hyderabad side which lifted the IPL. His also an excellent part-time bowling option and has had good success on that front too in IPL.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best		ER
8	107	50*	35.66	1	122.98	-	-	-		-

Yusuf Pathan: Age – 26 – Current ICC ODI Batsman Ranking – N/A. He is someone who can tarnish the bowling attack and is very effective in the ending over’s. He can hit the ball really big and is an effective bowling option.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best		ER
4	57	22*	19.00	0	203.57	2	32.50	2-23		8.29

Harbhajan Singh: Age – 28 – Current ICC ODI Bowler Ranking – 23. Terbinator was confused about his role in the Mumbai side in the concluded IPL but under MSD he has always risen to the occasion and performed. Bhaji is also a good striker of the ball and comes handy in the slog over’s.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best		ER
12	30	21	7.50	0	85.71	11	23.81	2-24		6.55

Praveen Kumar: Age – 22 – Current ICC ODI Bowler Ranking – 27. Bowls wicket to wicket and keeps his line tight which sometimes make him difficult to play. He also has the ability to swing the ball at a descent pace and also comes handy with the bat.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best		ER
1	6	6	6.00	0	60.00	1	15	1-15		7.50

Zaheer Khan: Age – 30  – Current ICC ODI Bowler Ranking – 16. He the spearhead of the Indian bowling attack but at present recovering a shoulder injury he received during an IPL match. He might be fully fit by the start of the tournament and will provide an edge to the Indian attack.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best		ER
4	-	-	-	-	-	4	24.75	2-1		6.19

Ishant Sharma: Age – 20 – Current ICC ODI Bowler Ranking – 41. He has not been impressive in the IPL but had a great outing in the warm-up game against New Zealand where he took four wickets. He is the fastest bowler in the Indian attack and is expected to perform better on English pitches.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best		ER
4	3	3*	-	-	50.00	2	51.00	1-35		9.00

RP Singh: Age – 23 – Current ICC ODI Bowler Ranking – 67. He has been the most successful bowler in the recently concluded IPL. He is an effective user of the new ball and gives MSD options to use him in the absence of Zahir Khan.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best		ER
8	1	1*	-	-	100.00	13	14.69	4-13		6.82

Irfan Pathan: Age – 24 – Current ICC ODI Bowler Ranking – 66. Had a good show at the IPL with both bat and the ball. Irfan is trying to make a comeback and is trying to get back to his old bowling speed and swing. But if he has to cement his place in the side he has to show consistency.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best		ER
13	120	33*	30.00	0	120	15	22.93	3-16		7.81

Ravindra Jadeja: Age – 20 – Current ICC ODI Bowler Ranking – N/A. He is an excellent fielder, a useful bowler and can be effective in the slog over’s. But with so many options in front of MSD, it is difficult for him to find a place in the playing eleven.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best		ER
2	24	19	12.00	0	104.34	-	-	-		6.25

Pragyan Ojha: Age – 22 – Current ICC ODI Bowler Ranking – 83. He is an excellent left-arm spinner and has shown good results in his last few appearances, but will MSG find a place in the playing eleven is a tough question.
Matches	Runs	Hs	Avg	50	SR	Wkts	Avg	Best		ER
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