PALLEKELE: In-form Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul-Haq said his team was ready for the double challenge of facing New Zealand as well as a mystery World Cup pitch on Tuesday. The Group A rivals meet at the newly-built Pallekele stadium in the first-ever one-day match at the venue, a factor which vice-captain Misbah believes will give both teams plenty to think about. “Of course, it adds to the challenge because we don”t know how the pitch will behave but that’’s the same for both teams, and as far as we are concerned we are up to the challenge,” Misbah said Monday. The 36-year-old has anchored the Pakistan team in the World Cup with two half-centuries against Kenya and Sri Lanka and a hard-fought 37 in the last match against Canada. Pakistan sit top of Group A with six points after three matches, followed by co-hosts Sri Lanka (five points in four) and defending champions Australia (five after three), with New Zealand fourth with four in three matches. Misbah said Pakistan’’s recent one-day series win over New Zealand will count for nothing. “We have done well against them in World Cups and in the recent series there but that win will count for nothing as it’’s a new game at a new place,” said Misbah, of Pakistan’’s 3-2 win in New Zealand last month. Pakistan will bring in paceman Shoaib Akhtar after resting him in the last match against Canada, while left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman will also be available after missing the last match due to a leg muscle injury. Led by skipper Shahid Afridi’’s leg-spin, which has garnered a tournament-leading 14 wickets, Pakistan possess variety in their bowling with off-spinners Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez, coupled with a strong new-ball attack of Akhtar, Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz. “I think we know how good their bowling can be,” said New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori. “They can probably defend any score because of the nature of their bowlers. They bring a lot to the table.” Pakistan successfully defended a below-par 185-run target against Canada and 278 against co-hosts Sri Lanka in the two of their three matches. New Zealand, who lost to Australia by seven wickets but eased past Kenya and Zimbawe by 10 wickets in each game, have four points after three matches. “We know to win these big games it needs complete team performances and that’’s what we have done. “It’’s a matter of stepping up against the harder teams,” said Vettori, whose country has lost six World Cup matches against Pakistan since winning their first in 1983. Unlike the bowling head-to-head, New Zealand hold the upper hand in batting, with openers Martin Guptill (86) and Brendon McCullum (76) chasing a 186-run target against Zimbabwe without being separated. “I”m not sure you could ask for too much more, we wanted complete performances out of ourselves and that we gave in the last match,” said Vettori, whose team have made the semi-finals in the last three World Cups. The hill town of Kandy has suffered from persistent rains and the only international match here, a Test between Sri Lanka and the West Indies in December, was drawn without a single innings completed in five days. The warm-up matches before the World Cup were also moved because of bad weather. Teams Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (capt), Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Ahmed Shahzad. Coach: Waqar Younis New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (capt), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock. Coach: John Wright Umpires: Daryl Harper (AUS) and Nigel Llong (ENG) TV umpire: Ian Gould (ENG) Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG) Match start: 02:00 PM Pitch conditions: Heavy rains last month have hit the preparations of the pitch, and if the sun comes out in the next two days, the square will have good grass and help the seamers, provided the grass is not removed. The pitch has bounce and if it doesn”t rain will help batsmen. Pakistan v New Zealand head to head Head-to-head record for the World Cup Group A match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the Pallekele stadium on Tuesday: Matches: 88 Pakistan: 51 New Zealand: 34 No result/Tied: 3 First meeting: Feb 11, 1973, Christchurch – New Zealand won by 22 runs Last meeting: Feb 5, 2011, Auckland – New Zealand won by 57 runs (AFP)
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PALLEKELE: In-form Pakistan batsman Misbah-ul-Haq said his team was ready for the double challenge of facing New Zealand as well as a mystery World Cup pitch on Tuesday. The Group A rivals meet at the newly-built Pallekele stadium in the first-ever one-day match at the venue, a factor which vice-captain Misbah believes will give both teams plenty to think about. “Of course, it adds to the challenge because we don”t know how the pitch will behave but that’’s the same for both teams, and as far as we are concerned we are up to the challenge,” Misbah said Monday. The 36-year-old has anchored the Pakistan team in the World Cup with two half-centuries against Kenya and Sri Lanka and a hard-fought 37 in the last match against Canada. Pakistan sit top of Group A with six points after three matches, followed by co-hosts Sri Lanka (five points in four) and defending champions Australia (five after three), with New Zealand fourth with four in three matches. Misbah said Pakistan’’s recent one-day series win over New Zealand will count for nothing. “We have done well against them in World Cups and in the recent series there but that win will count for nothing as it’’s a new game at a new place,” said Misbah, of Pakistan’’s 3-2 win in New Zealand last month. Pakistan will bring in paceman Shoaib Akhtar after resting him in the last match against Canada, while left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman will also be available after missing the last match due to a leg muscle injury. Led by skipper Shahid Afridi’’s leg-spin, which has garnered a tournament-leading 14 wickets, Pakistan possess variety in their bowling with off-spinners Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez, coupled with a strong new-ball attack of Akhtar, Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz. “I think we know how good their bowling can be,” said New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori. “They can probably defend any score because of the nature of their bowlers. They bring a lot to the table.” Pakistan successfully defended a below-par 185-run target against Canada and 278 against co-hosts Sri Lanka in the two of their three matches. New Zealand, who lost to Australia by seven wickets but eased past Kenya and Zimbawe by 10 wickets in each game, have four points after three matches. “We know to win these big games it needs complete team performances and that’’s what we have done. “It’’s a matter of stepping up against the harder teams,” said Vettori, whose country has lost six World Cup matches against Pakistan since winning their first in 1983. Unlike the bowling head-to-head, New Zealand hold the upper hand in batting, with openers Martin Guptill (86) and Brendon McCullum (76) chasing a 186-run target against Zimbabwe without being separated. “I”m not sure you could ask for too much more, we wanted complete performances out of ourselves and that we gave in the last match,” said Vettori, whose team have made the semi-finals in the last three World Cups. The hill town of Kandy has suffered from persistent rains and the only international match here, a Test between Sri Lanka and the West Indies in December, was drawn without a single innings completed in five days. The warm-up matches before the World Cup were also moved because of bad weather. Teams Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (capt), Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Ahmed Shahzad. Coach: Waqar Younis New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (capt), Hamish Bennett, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson, Luke Woodcock. Coach: John Wright Umpires: Daryl Harper (AUS) and Nigel Llong (ENG) TV umpire: Ian Gould (ENG) Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG) Match start: 02:00 PM Pitch conditions: Heavy rains last month have hit the preparations of the pitch, and if the sun comes out in the next two days, the square will have good grass and help the seamers, provided the grass is not removed. The pitch has bounce and if it doesn”t rain will help batsmen. Pakistan v New Zealand head to head Head-to-head record for the World Cup Group A match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the Pallekele stadium on Tuesday: Matches: 88 Pakistan: 51 New Zealand: 34 No result/Tied: 3 First meeting: Feb 11, 1973, Christchurch – New Zealand won by 22 runs Last meeting: Feb 5, 2011, Auckland – New Zealand won by 57 runs (AFP)
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COLOMBO: Pakistan lost their four top order batsmen for 72 runs after winning the toss and elected to bat against minnows Canada in their Group A day-night match of the World Cup 2011 here at the R Premadasa Stadium on Thursday. First to go was Mohammad Hafeez when Pakistan score was only 16. He was adjudged lbw off Henry Osinde for 11. Later, Ahmed Shahzad and Kamran Akmal took the score to 42 before Shahzad was gone for 12 caught Tyson Gordon off Harvir Baidwan. Veteran batsman Younis Khan could add only 13 runs along with Kamran when Harvir Baidwan struck again to get rid off Younis. He made only six and Pakistan were 55-3. Then, Kamran also departed for 16, caught by young Nitish Kumar off Rizwan Cheema. Now Pakistan were reeling at 67-4.in 15.3 overs. Pakistan replaced left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman, who has injured his abductor muscle, and rested paceman Shoaib Akhtar from the line-up that beat Sri Lanka in Colombo on Saturday. Their places were taken by off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and paceman Wahab Riaz — both making their World Cup debuts. Canada, who lost to Zimbabwe in their last match, dropped out-of-form opener John Davison and brought in paceman Henry Osinde.
Written on March 3, 2011 | Posted in
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NEW DELHI: Pakistan beat a powerful Sri Lankan side on Saturday for their second World Cup win, sending out an ominous statement of intent to their rivals as Bangalore geared up for the India-England showdown. A sell-out crowd of 35,000 packed the R. Premadasa stadium in Colombo to witness the much-anticipated Group A clash between 1992 winners Pakistan and 1996 champions Sri Lanka, who both enjoyed convincing opening victories. Pakistan, seeking to keep intact their record of never having lost a World Cup match against Sri Lanka, made a bright start and were indebted to an unbeaten 83 from Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and 72 from Younis Khan. Sri Lanka made a good start to their reply but slipped to 96 for four and fell behind the run-rate, finally coming up 11 runs short on 266-9, “That was a big game and the boys all knew how big that game was,” said skipper Shahid Afridi, who picked up the man-of-the-match award for his 4-34. “I think it’’s a great message for other teams that we will come harder and harder game by game.” Disappointed Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakarra said: “I think we made it a bit difficult for ourselves by losing wickets but we got a good start. We needed a couple of blokes to just kick on and keep batting for a longer time.”
Written on February 27, 2011 | Posted in
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COLOMBO: Pakistan set a target of 278 runs for hosts Sri Lanka in their crucial Group A match of the ICC World Cup 2011 here at the R Premadasa Stadium on Friday. Batting on an easy wicket, Pakistan plundered 277 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the allotted 50 overs after captain Shahid Afridi won the toss. The main architects of the innings were veteran batsman Younis Khan and experienced Misbah-ul-Haq who steered Pakistan from 105-3 to 213 runs, adding 108 runs for the fourth wicket partnership. Both completed half-centuries – Younis from 56 balls and Misbah in 65 deliveries. They had also made fifties in their previous match against Kenya on Wednesday. Younis made 72 off 76 balls while Misbah top scored with 83 not out from 91 balls. Earlier, openers Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez made 13 and 32, respectively while Kamran Akmal scored 39. Later, Umar Akmal and hahid Aridi scored 10 and 16, respectively while Abdul Razzaq remained not out on 3 For Sri Lanka, Rangana Herath and Thisara Perera claimed two wickets each. Sri Lanka left out slinger Lasith Malinga who failed to fully recover from a back strain which forced him to miss the match on Sunday. Chamara Kapugedera and Ajantha Mendis made way for Chamara Silva and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath. Both teams are seeking their second win in the tournament as they have already enjoyed convincing opening victories: Pakistan defeated Kenya by 205 runs and Sri Lanka beat Canada by 210. Pakistan have never lost a World Cup match against Sri Lanka in six previous attempts, but the last time they met was in 1992, before Sri Lanka became one of the game’’s global powers.
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HAMBANTOTA: Pakistan made 317 runs for the loss of seven wickets after a disastrous start in Group A match of the ICC World Cup 2011 here at the Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium on Wednesday. After captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and decided to bat, Pakistan made a disastrous start losing both their openers for only 12 runs in seven overs. Kenyan opening bowlers dominated the scene in early overs to keep Pakistan in pressure. First, Elijah Otieno removed Mohammad Hafeez, caught by Waters for nine when Pakistan were 11 on the board and in the next over, Thomas Odoyo dismissed Ahmed Shahzad for one. Then, wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal and veteran batsman Younis Khan came together took Pakistan out of trouble. They added 98 runs before Kamran went after completing his seventh ODI fifty. Kamran made 55 and Younis scored 50, his 40th ODI fifty, before being trapped lbw by Steve Tikolo. Later, Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal came together and accelerated the run rate. Both added 118 runs for the fifth wicket. Misbah departed after scoring 65 from 69 balls with two sixes. This was his 13th ODI half-century. Umar Akmal also reached his seventh ODI fifty and made 71 off 52 balls with eight fours and a six. This was the fourth half century in Pakistan innings. Afridi made just seven runs and was dismissed lbw by Odoyo who was the most successful bowler with three wickets. In Group A, all teams except Pakistan have so far played one match each as Pakistan are going to play their first match in the tournament today. Pakistan chose left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman in addition to their three-man seam attack of Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Abdul Razzaq. Kenya, who crashed to New Zealand in their first match by 10 wickets after being shot out for 69 on Sunday, left out opener Alex Obanda and brought in Tanmay Mishar as the only change in their side.
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HAMBANTOTA: After losing two early wickets for just 12 runs, Pakistan are fighting hard for recovery in Group A match of the ICC World Cup 2011 here at the Mahinda Rajapakse stadium on Wednesday. Wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal and veteran batsman Younis Khan are batting on 41 and 28, respectively as Both the experienced batsmen have taken Pakistan out of trouble. Now, Pakistan are 87-2 after 20 overs. Earlier, captain Shahid Khan Afridi won the toss and decided to bat but their start was disastrous as both openers fell early to Kenyan pace-bowlers.. Both Kenyan opening bowlers dominated the scene in early overs to keep Pakistan in pressure. First, Elijah Otieno removed Mohammad Hafeez, caught by Waters for nine when Pakistan were 11 on the board and in the next over, Thomas Odoyo dismissed Ahmed Shahzad for one. However, Kamran and Younis handled the situation and soon took their team out of trouble. In Group A, all teams except Pakistan have so far played one match each as Pakistan are going to play their first match in the tournament today. Pakistan chose left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman in addition to their three-man seam attack of Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Abdul Razzaq. Kenya, who crashed to New Zealand in their first match by 10 wickets after being shot out for 69 on Sunday, left out opener Alex Obanda and brought in Tanmay Mishar as the only change in their side.
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Afridi and Waqar contemplate with distaste the unprecedented outbreak of sobriety in the Pakistan ranks
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FATULLAH: England’’s Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood finally found some much-needed form as Pakistan were brushed aside by 67 runs in the final warm-up before the Cricket World Cup starts on Saturday. Pietersen, in an unaccustomed role as opener, hit 66 from 78 balls and Collingwood chipped in with 65 as England were all out for 273 on Friday. Pakistan struggled early in response with Stuart Broad again England’’s spearhead with the ball, taking care of the top four batsmen in the order. Broad, who rejoined the England party after missing much of the Australian tour with an abdominal injury, finished with 5-25 including the key scalp of Younis Khan, caught behind for 80. Pakistan were all out for 206 in the 47th over. Collingwood shone with the ball too with his medium-pace seamers, grabbing 3-48. The Pakistan all-rounder and captain Shahid Afridi did not play. The teams met last year in a controversial tour in England in which three Pakistan players including then captain Salman Butt were later found to have been involved in fixing parts of a test match. They each received five-year bans. England begin their Cup campaign proper on Tuesday against Netherlands in Nagpur, India, and Pakistan start theirs a day later in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, against Kenya. (REUTERS)
Written on February 18, 2011 | Posted in
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MIRPUR: Centuries by opener Ahmed Shahzad and middle-order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq helped Pakistan to win their first warm up match against one of the World Cup 2011 hosts Bangladesh by 88 runs. Earlier, Pakistan piled up 285 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the allotted 50 overs after captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and elected to bat on the slow wicket of the Shere Bangla National Stadium. Openers Mohammad Hafeez and Shahzad provided a good start making 42 runs before Hafeez was dismissed for 21. Later, Pakistan lost two more wickets for 16 runs as experienced batsmen Kamran Akmal and Younis Khan fell out cheaply. Then, Shahzad was joined by vice-captain Misbah and both steered Pakistan to 210 before Shahzad departed. Both added 152 runs for the fourth wicket. Ahmed Shahzad made 103 off 122 balls with nine fours and a six. Misbah-ul-Haq also completed his hundred from 99 balls. He smashed four sixes and eight boundaries. After the two centurions got out no other batsman could make any significant score. For Bangladesh, Shakib Al Hasan and Rubel Hossain were the most successful bowlers taking three wickets each.
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